Workbook - Children Are Everyone Business - 2014

© UNICEF/UKLA2012-00991/SCHERMBRUCKER
CHILDREN ARE EVERYONE’S
Part 1
BUSINESS: WORKBOOK 2.0
A guide for integrating children’s rights into policies, impact
assessments and sustainability reporting
Second edition
unite for
children
UNICEF, www.unicef.org/csr.
Acknowledgements, disclaimer and copyright
This publication was developed through a consultative process and benefited from the expertise of a wide range of
contributors, including the companies that provided feedback as part of the UNICEF Business and Children’s Rights
Tools Pilot 2013:
Arcor, Aviatur, Banco Popular, BSR, Cisneros, Confederation of Indian Industry, Danish Institute for Human Rights,
DTAC, Enodo Rights, Etipres, Grupo ICE, HCL Technologies, IKEA, ING, Kuoni, Mercantil Banco Universal, Nissan,
Nomogaia, Nordic Choice Hotels, Novo Nordisk, Pyramid Consulting, Rosy Blue, Sanoma, Sime Darby, Sansiri,
Srinivasan Services Trust, Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget SCA, Telefonica, Telenor, Telenor Pakistan, TwentyFifty, Two
Tomorrows, Unilever, Vision Banco and Zynergy Projects & Services Private Limited.
A first draft of the workbook was developed in 2011 by Joanne Dunn, Maya Forstater, Margaret Wachenfeld and
Simon Zadek, and benefited from the expertise of the following individuals: Chris Avery, Carlotta Barcaro, David Bull,
Malena Bengtsson, David Clark, Sara Damber, Aidan Davy, Rachel Davis, Michele Ferenz, Colleen Galbraith, Gianluca
Galdenzi, Adrienne Gardaz, Rina Gill, David Girling, Halshka Graczyk, John E. Grova, Susan Gunn, Julia Hawkins, Adrian
Henriques, Alison Holder, Bettina Kaltenhaeuser, Ravi Karkara, Harpreet Kaur, Theresa Kilbane, Gerison Lansdown,
Mauricio Lazala, Larissa Luy, Lesley Miller, John Morrison, Rada Noeva, Yoshie Noguchi, Erik Nyman, Clare O’Brien,
Isabel Ortiz, Ludimila Palazzo, Camilla Ravnboel, Judita Reichenberg, Rita Roca, Verity Rowles, Vesna Savic Frances
Sheahan, Ben Smith, Clara Sommarin, Simon Steye, Camelia Tepelus, Elizabeth Umlas, Berit Wirths and Ursula
Wynhoven.
All rights to this guide remain with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). No part of this document may be
replicated or redistributed without the prior written permission of UNICEF.
A reference to a non-UNICEF website does not imply endorsement by UNICEF of the accuracy of the information
contained therein or of the views expressed. References to specific organizations or companies are included to highlight
activities and practices in relation to children’s rights; they are not to be considered an endorsement of particular
organizations,
companies, products or services.
For more information, please contact us at [email protected].
Research, writing, design and editing
UNICEF Corporate Social Responsibility Unit: Amaya Gorostiaga, Bo Viktor Nylund, Eija Hietavuo, Ida Hyllested,
Joanne Patroni and Subajini Jayasekaran.
UNICEF Private Fundraising and Partnerships Design Unit: James Elrington and Bruno Rocha.
Editor: Catherine Rutgers.
August 2014
© 2014 United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Geneva.
2 CHILDREN ARE EVERYONE’S BUSINESS: WORKBOOK 2.0

CONTENTS
PART ONE
Introduction ......................................................... ..................................................................................... 4
1.1 About this workbook .......................................................................... ..................................... 4
1.2 The time for children is now ................................................................................................ 4
1.3 Children are everyone’s business ........................................................................................ 5
1.4 What is good for children is good for business .................................................................. 6
1.5 The children’s rights framework........................................................................................... 6
PART TWO
Integrating children’s rights into core business practices ....................................................................10
Principle 1.
Meet their responsibility to respect and support children’s rights and commit to
supporting the human rights of children ............................................................................ 11
Principle 2.
Contribute towards the elimination of child labour, including in all business activities
and business relationships ..................................................................................................19
Principle 3.
Contents
Provide decent work for young workers, parents and caregivers......................................24
Principle 4.
Ensure the protection of children in all business activities and facilities............................28
Principle 5.
Ensure that products and services are safe, and seek to support children’s rights
through them ......................................................................................................................31
Principle 6.
Use marketing and advertising that respect and support children’s rights........................34
Principle 7.
Respect and support children’s rights in relation to the environment and to land
acquisition and use .............................................................................................................38
Principle 8.
Respect and support children’s rights in security arrangements...................................... 43
Principle 9.
Help protect children affected by emergencies .................................................................47
Principle 10.
Reinforce community and government efforts to protect and fulfil children’s rights ........50
ANNEX
External resources ................................................................................................................................55
A TOOL FOR COMPANIES 3

PART ONE
Introduction
1.1 About this workbook
‘Children Are Everyone’s Business: Workbook 2.0’ is a comprehensive tool designed to guide companies through the
ongoing process of learning about and integrating children’s rights into business policies and management processes. It
follows and builds on the Children’s Rights and Business Principles, which were developed through consultations led by
UNICEF, Save the Children and the United Nations Global Compact, and provides practical guidance for implementing
the Principles.
The workbook outlines a framework for companies to better operationalize their respect and support for children’s rights
in the workplace, marketplace and community, and can be integrated into companies’ current efforts to implement the
United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. It summarizes the guidance provided in UNICEF’s
child rights implementation tools – including ‘Children’s Rights in Policies and Codes of Conduct’,1 ‘Children’s Rights in
Impact Assessments’2 and ‘Children’s Rights in Sustainability Reporting’3 – and contains broad recommendations on how
companies can integrate children’s rights into company policies and processes.
For each of the Children’s Rights and Business Principles, the workbook provides summarized information on how
companies can:
• Learn about and better understand the child rights issues relevant to each Principle.
• Determine the contexts where child rights risks or opportunities may be more prevalent.
• Assess policies and processes that are critical to addressing child rights impacts, and identify actions for
Part 1
improvement.
• Take actions to integrate children’s rights based on impact assessment findings.
• Report on child rights performance.
The workbook draws on the practical experience of UNICEF, business and civil society to illustrate the diverse ways in
which companies can respect and support children’s rights. It also provides links to supplementary resources such as
sector-specific guidance, tools, recommendations and background materials relevant to each Principle.
1.2 The time for children is now
Children comprise a diverse population that mirrors the diversity of society in language, culture, religion and economic
status, ranging from the wealthy to the poorest of the poor. They are infants, young children, adolescents and young
adults, as the Convention on the Rights of the Child and other international treaties define a ‘child’ to be any person below
age 18. When businesses respect and value all stages of childhood, they foster the strength of future generations. Yet
children’s issues are often not explicitly considered by businesses and other powerful actors in society.
Companies interact with children on a daily basis, although often neither directly nor purposefully. Children are workers in
factories and fields, family members of employees and community members in the neighbourhoods where businesses
operate. In many countries, they are increasingly recognized as a consumer group themselves, with discretionary income
to spend and influence on family purchases. Children are a market force to be reckoned with, but nonetheless need
protection from unhealthy or unsafe products and services, and from inappropriate advertising.
1 ‘Children’s Rights in Policies and Codes of Conduct’, UNICEF and Save the Children, December 2013, available at www.unicef.org/csr/160.htm
2 ‘Children’s Rights in Impact Assessments’, UNICEF and The Danish Institute for Human Rights, December 2013, available at
www.unicef.org/csr/156.htm
3 ‘Children’s rights in Sustainability Reporting, UNICEF, December 2013, available at www.unicef.org/csr/148.htm

Business has enormous power to improve children’s lives through the way in which they operate facilities, develop and
market products, provide services, and exert influence on economic and social development. Conversely, business has
the power to disregard or even imperil the interests of children, so many of whom find themselves invisible and voiceless.
Some corporate policies or practices may unintentionally inflict lifelong damage, threatening children’s development and
even survival.
Globally, there has yet to be a concentrated focus on the positive role businesses can have in children’s lives, or on the
considerable negative impact that business strategies and operations can have on children’s survival and development.
As increasingly more companies assert strong and public positions on corporate social responsibility, it is essential that
children are at the centre of the conversation.
The Children’s Rights and Business Principles and this workbook offer an opportunity for every company to put into action
a strong and lasting commitment to children’s rights.
1.3 Children are everyone’s business
For many companies, children are a priority stakeholder group. At the same time, they are often the most vulnerable
population, requiring specific attention to guarantee respect for their human rights. The ‘Guiding Principles on Business
and Human Rights’ provide a broad framework through which companies can operationalize their respect for human
rights, and they call on all businesses to pay particular attention to groups or populations that may be more vulnerable or
marginalized.
It is possible for business activities to not impact the rights of adults, but at the same time adversely impact the rights
of children. Moreover, companies should consider the positive or negative impacts they cause or contribute to indirectly
through suppliers and other business partners, employees and customers, as well as their direct impacts on children’s
rights.
Part 1
Although they are considered to be a vulnerable group, children can also be priority stakeholders as companies interact
with children on a daily basis, as workers, consumers and community members. Despite this, children’s issues have not
been adequately considered by business.
Companies that are concerned about human rights should actively consider child-specific issues for the following reasons:
• Childhood is a unique period of rapid development when physical, mental and emotional well-being can be
permanently influenced for better or worse. Nutritious food, clean water, care and
affection during these developing years are the foundation of children’s growth, enabling them to take advantage
of educational opportunities and become fully engaged and productive citizens of their societies.
• Common occurrences impact children differently and more severely than adults. Economic, social and physical
disruptions that adults may readily cope with can be defining events in a child’s life, for example, if children are
exposed to pollutants they absorb a higher percentage of toxins and are less able to expel harmful substances
from their bodies, if they miss a year of school they may never return to complete their education.
• Children employed or affected by business are often unseen and uncounted. These ‘invisible’
children include those who are employed illicitly in the supply chain or as domestic workers, detained by
security services, are not in school or are left at home when their parents migrate for work, and children who are
discriminated against – such as ethnic minorities, girls and children with disabilities – are particularly likely to be
overlooked.
• Children lack a public voice. Children are unable to vote or form trade unions, they do not own stock in companies
or attend annual shareholder meetings, and they are rarely given a say in how communities make decisions, even
those related to such issues as schools and playgrounds.
• Children are not consulted. To make sure that proposed plans will not adversely affect children’s rights,
companies should ensure that stakeholder consultation processes consider the rights of the child and, where
relevant, consult directly with children.
• Children’s rights in the workplace extend beyond labour issues. This workbook intends to help businesses assess
other direct and indirect impacts on children, including those resulting from overall business operations, products
and services, marketing methods, relationships with local and national governments, and investment in local
communities.

1.4 What is good for children is good for business
There are many aspects of respecting and supporting children’s rights that simultaneously generate benefits for business.
Among the most significant advantages a company can gain by implementing child rights policies and practices is the
potential to:
Achieve better risk management through an expanded definition of risk that incorporates environmental and social
issues, including human rights, and by ensuring that health, safety and product responsibilities safeguard children’s
interests and address their vulnerabilities.
Build reputation and help secure the ‘social licence to operate’ by demonstrating that the beneficial impacts of
companies’ products, responsible marketing and good relationships with local communities can meet the needs of
parents and children.
Recruit and retain a motivated workforce through fair wages and decent working conditions, enabling employees
who are parents or caregivers to combine their family responsibilities with a productive work life, thereby increasing
production capacities and reducing absenteeism.
Develop the next generation of talent by supporting apprenticeship programmes and education initiatives that will
equip young people with workplace skills such as decision making and leadership.
Contribute to a stable and sustainable business environment by working for the good of children and helping to
build strong, well educated communities, robust businesses and healthy economies.
The Children’s Rights and Business Principles
The Children’s Rights and Business Principles call on businesses to:

Part 1
1. Meet their responsibility to respect children’s rights and commit to supporting the human rights of children.
2. Contribute towards the elimination of child labour, including in all business activities and business relationships.
3. Provide decent work for young workers, parents and caregivers.
4. Ensure the protection and safety of children in all business activities and facilities.
5. Ensure that products and services are safe, and seek to support children’s rights through them.
6. Use marketing and advertising that respect and support children’s rights.
7. Respect and support children’s rights in relation to the environment and to land acquisition and use.
8. Respect and support children’s rights in security arrangements.
9. Help protect children affected by emergencies.
10. Reinforce community and government efforts to protect and fulfil children’s rights.

1.5 The children’s rights framework
The Children’s Rights and Business Principles
The Children’s Rights and Business Principles provide a child rights lens to the global standard on the independent
responsibility of all businesses to respect human rights, as established by the Guiding Principles on Business and Human
Rights. Each Principle defines actions that businesses can take to fulfil their corporate responsibility to respect children’s
rights and suggests actions to support children’s rights in the workplace, marketplace and community.
The Principles are founded on the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which provides the underpinning for all children’s
rights, everywhere. They are intended to clarify the role of business in respecting and supporting children’s rights, and
highlight the specific contexts in which companies can create positive or negative impacts on children.
The Principles are also informed by International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 182 on the prohibition and
elimination of the worst forms of child labour and No. 138 on the minimum age for admission to employment, and they
elaborate on existing standards for business, such as the United Nations Global Compact’s ‘Ten Principles’ and the
Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
Principle 4: Principle 5:
Child protection Products &
& safety services
Young workers, Marketing &
parents & caregivers advertising
Principle 2:
Child labour
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POLI
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RK ETPL A
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Part 1
Principle 1:
child rights
DUE D
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integration
IAT
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Environment & land Community &
government
H Principle 8: Principle 9: efforts
T
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UN RO
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The Convention on the Rights of the Child and what it means for business
The Children’s Rights and Business Principles are significantly informed by the Convention on the Rights of the Child
(CRC), the most widely and rapidly ratified human rights treaty in history.4 The CRC is the first legally binding international
instrument to incorporate the full range of human rights – civil, political, economic, social and cultural – for children
everywhere and without discrimination. It spells out children’s right to survival; to develop to the fullest; to protection
from harmful influences, abuse and exploitation; and to participate fully in family, cultural and social life.
The CRC comprises 54 articles that set minimum and legally binding standards for all children and apply equally to all
children, from the most privileged to the most excluded and poverty stricken, including stateless children and others
denied birth registration and access to citizenship. It was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989 and
has since been ratified by 193 Member States, achieving nearly universal coverage.
4 See UNICEF, www.unicef.org/crc, for the full CRC text in Arabic, English, French and Spanish.

To further protect children from exploitation and abuse, two additional protocols to the CRC were adopted in 2000: (1)
the Optional Protocol on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography; and (2) the Optional Protocol on
the involvement of children in armed conflict.5 The obligations set forth in the Optional Protocols are more detailed than
those in the CRC and are not automatically binding on States that have ratified the original treaty. Nonetheless, they are
increasingly accepted as international normative standards and enhance the protective environment for children.
To fulfil their obligations as States parties to the Convention, national governments are required to take “all appropriate
legislative, administrative, and other measures for the implementation of the rights recognized in the present Convention”
(article 4). Measures for implementation therefore encompass establishing legislation, adopting public policy and allocating
adequate financial resources.
While government has the primary responsibility for protecting and fulfilling children’s rights, other actors with a role in
children’s lives – including parents, teachers, institutions and businesses – are also accountable to children for protecting
their rights. The CRC, and its Optional Protocols, enshrine the rights of the child to be protected by States, and the
Children’s Rights and Business Principles provide an operational framework for business to respect and support those
rights.
Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights
In 2011, the United Nations Human Rights Council unanimously endorsed the ‘Guiding Principles on Business and Human
Rights: Implementing the United Nations “Protect, Respect and Remedy” Framework’.6 The Guiding Principles provide
a road map for companies to demonstrate that they are respecting human rights. The corporate responsibility to respect
human rights, including children’s rights, does not replace a State’s duty to protect human rights and exists independently of a
national government’s abilities and willingness to fulfil its obligations.
The Guiding Principles require businesses to establish policies and processes appropriate to their size and circumstances.
The responsibilities for companies include: a policy commitment on human rights; a due diligence process to identify,
prevent, mitigate and account for how the company’s impacts on human rights are addressed; and a mechanism for the
Part 1
remediation of any adverse impacts a company might have caused or to which it contributes.
Where company policies and practices may cause or contribute to a negative impact, those policies and practices should
be stopped, or avoided in the first place, and the company should use its leverage to mitigate any remaining impact. In
addition, a company’s responsibility to respect human rights extends beyond its own activities. Where a business has
not contributed to a negative impact, but the impact is directly linked to its products, operations or services by a business
relationship, the situation is more complex, and the business will need to consider a number of factors to determine the
appropriate action (Guiding Principle 19).
The Guiding Principles recognize that some human rights may be at greater risk and that violations of these rights can
have a more severe effect due to the scale, scope and irreversible nature of potential impact. They also call on businesses
to pay particular attention to groups or populations that can be more vulnerable or marginalized. On all counts, children are
a priority stakeholder group – frequently the most vulnerable and marginalized. Because children are experiencing crucial
stages in the life cycle of human development, the impacts of human rights violations on children are often irreversible.
The Children’s Rights and Business Principles build from the Guiding Principles, using the same operational framework to
guide companies in how they can incorporate child rights considerations into their management processes. In addition, the
Children’s Rights and Business Principles call on companies to fulfil their respect for children’s rights and to demonstrate
a commitment to support children’s rights.
5 For the full text, see: Optional Protocol on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography,
www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/OPSCCRC.aspx; and Optional Protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict,
www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/OPACCRC.aspx.
6 For more information and to access the full ‘Guiding Principles’ document, see
www.business-humanrights.org/UNGuidingPrinciplesPortal/Home.

ILO Conventions and the Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work
The Children’s Rights and Business Principles do not create new international legal obligations – they reinforce key
international labour standards and define the corporate responsibility to respect children’s rights in line with International
Labour Organization conventions and the Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.7 ILO Conventions
that are relevant under the various Principles include:
No. 138 – the minimum age for admission to employment and work
No. 182 – prohibiting and eliminating the worst forms of child labour
No. 156 – equal opportunities and equal treatment for men and women workers, and workers with family
responsibilities
No. 183 – maternity protection
No. 77 – medical examination of children and young persons for fitness for employment in industry.
The ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work was adopted in 1998, and commits Member States to
respect and promote rights in four categories, regardless of whether they have ratified the ILO conventions: (1) freedom
of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining; (2) elimination of all forms of forced or
compulsory labour; (3) effective abolition of child labour; and (4) elimination of discrimination in respect of employment
and occupation. The Declaration clearly defines these rights as applying to all people, in every country, and takes particular
note of groups with special needs, including migrant workers and those who are unemployed.
Part 1
© UNICEF/NYHQ2008-1770/PIROZZI
7 For more information and the full ‘Declaration’ text, see www.ilo.org/declaration/lang--en/index.htm. All of the ILO conventions are available
at www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=1000:12000:0::NO:::.

PART TWO
Integrating children’s rights into core business practices
Making a corporate commitment to respect and support children’s rights is the first step of the ongoing journey to
ensuring that a business complies with the law and respects children’s rights wherever it operates. This commitment can
be used to establish value through company policies and operations, products and services, and initiatives that promote
the best interests of children.
The respect and support framework applies across all of the Children’s Rights and Business Principles, as detailed below:
A responsibility to respect and a commitment to support
The corporate responsibility to respect – avoiding any infringement of the human rights of others, including
children, and addressing any adverse human rights impact with which the business is involved. The
corporate responsibility to respect applies to direct and indirect impacts linked to business operations,
products and services, and business relationships, including employees, suppliers, customers and other
partners.
The corporate commitment to support – in addition to respecting human rights, voluntary actions that
seek to advance human rights, including children’s rights, through core business operations, products
and services, strategic social investments and philanthropy, advocacy and public policy engagement, and
working in partnership and other collective action.
Part 2
Part 2 provides a summary table for each Principle, with primary assessment criteria, suggested actions for improvement
and examples of information which companies can report in relation to implementation of the Children’s Rights and
Business Principles. The support actions are highlighted and identify opportunities for a company to advance children’s
rights through core business activities; strategic social investments and philanthropy; advocacy and public policy
engagement; and working in partnership and other collective action.
Principle 1. Meet the responsibility to respect children’s rights, and

commit to supporting the human rights of children
Principle 1 of the Children’s Rights and Business Principles is an articulation of the United Nations Guiding Principles
for Business and Human Rights in the context of children as specific stakeholders. Many companies begin this process
with a reactive approach that may be focused only on legal compliance around a single issue such as child labour or
product safety. Companies should initiate policies and actions that identify, prevent
and mitigate their impact across the full range of children’s rights. As noted
in Guiding Principle 17, human rights due diligence should be ongoing 1. Policy
and dynamic, recognizing that human rights risks change over time 5. Remediation commitment
and that the business context shifts, revealing new information and
experience.
Respect and
In addition to respecting children’s rights, companies can seek support
ways to support children’s rights through core business activities, children’s rights
4. Tracking
strategic social investments and public policy engagement. The 2. Assessing
performance
impacts
five steps outlined below describe ways to incorporate children’s and reporting
rights into core business processes.
3. Integration
and action

1. Policy commitment
The responsibility to respect and commitment to support children’s rights can be integrated within company
statements of business principles, codes of conduct or other values-related corporate commitments and policies. This
commitment can also take the form of a stand-alone statement or a specific child protection policy or code of conduct.
The commitment to children’s rights should specify expectations for personnel, suppliers, customers, business partners
and others who are directly linked to business operations, products and services. It should be publicly available,
communicated internally and externally; receive sign-off from the highest level in the company; and be embedded in all
policies and procedures – including, for example, standards for the supply chain, statements of ethics, and employee
policies and codes of conduct. It may also include a statement of the business’s commitment to support children’s rights.
All companies should consider integrating these key elements into existing human rights and other relevant policies and
codes of conduct. At a minimum, companies should include:
• An explicit commitment to respect all human rights, including children’s rights.
• Define children’s rights as those enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and/or refer to the
Children’s Rights and Business Principles as the framework upon which the company is operationalizing its
responsibility to respect and commitment to support children’s rights.
• Prioritize labour and non-labour child rights issues, as material in terms of the impacts experienced by children
as affected rights holders, for inclusion in company policies to establish expectations for employees, suppliers,
subcontractors, customers and other business partners.
• Stipulate labour and non-labour child rights issues, as material in terms of the impacts experienced by children as
affected rights holders, in employee, supplier and other codes of conduct, which will depend on the nature of the
business and the areas in which it operates and its specific impacts on children.
Businesses should also consider including a commitment to support the advancement of specific children’s rights through
the application of core competencies and/or influence with business partners and other key stakeholders.
For detailed information on developing a corporate child rights policy, refer to UNICEF’s guidance in ‘Children’s Rights
Part 2 - Principle 1
in Policies and Codes of Conduct’ (www.unicef.org/csr/160.htm), which outlines recommendations for respecting and
supporting children’s rights according to each Principle.
Primary assessment criteria Taking action
1 There is no linear process for integrating children’s rights into a

PRIMARY CRITERIA
Has the company integrated children’s company’s policy framework, but the following points can help
rights considerations within its statements a company to get started:
of business principles, codes of conduct, – involve internal and external stakeholders in the process to
and other values-related corporate integrate children’s rights considerations.
commitments and policies?
– prioritize material issues that present the greatest areas
of risk and opportunity for impacting children’s rights. The
company should also work with suppliers, customers and
business partners to identify their potential risks to children’s
rights that might differ from the company’s direct operations.
– map existing policies and codes of conduct to identify
coverage of priority children’s rights issues for the company
and where there are gaps (for example, policies and codes of
conduct relating to human rights, health and safety, privacy,
marketing, supplier, procurement and ethics).
– obtain senior-level commitment, assign senior management
responsibility, and allocate responsibilities and resources for
addressing issues related to children to relevant functions
within the business.
Ensure effectiveness by embedding children’s rights policies
within the company’s procedures and culture. This could be
carried out through relevant training, leadership incentives and
accountability structures, as well as in the terms of business
relationships such as supplier contracts and identify gaps (i.e.
policies and codes of conduct relating to human rights, health
and safety, supplier, procurement, ethics, etc.)

Related GRI guidance
The following GRI disclosures can be used to report on some aspects of Principle 1:
Disclosure topic
POLICY
GRI G3.1 Guidelines GRI G4 Guidelines
STRATEGY AND PROFILE DISCLOSURES: GENERAL STANDARD DISCLOSURES:
Governance: Organizational Profile -
4.8 Internally developed statements ➤ Describe how Commitments to External
of mission or values, codes of children’s rights Initiatives:
conduct, and principles relevant are incorporated G4-14 ➤ Describe the
to economic, environmental, and in commitments, a. Report whether and how the application of the
social performance and the status policies or codes precautionary approach or principle precautionary
of their implementation. of conduct and/ is addressed by the organization. principle with
or reference to the reference to
Explain the degree to which these: Principles avoiding harm to
• Are applied across the children
organization in different regions
and department/units; and
• Relate to internationally agreed
standards.
Commitments to External G4-15 ➤ Mention the
Initiatives: a. List externally developed Principles
4.11 Explanation of whether and ➤ Describe the economic, environmental and as reference
how the precautionary approach application of the social charters, principles, or other framework
or principle is addressed by the precautionary initiatives to which the organization
organization. principle with subscribes or which it endorses.
reference to
avoiding harm to
children
4.12 Externally developed ➤ Mention the Ethics and Integrity:

economic, environmental, and Principles G4-56

social charters, principles, or other as reference a. Describe the organization’s ➤ Describe how
initiatives to which the organization framework values, principles, standards and children’s rights
subscribes or endorses. norms of behavior such as codes of are incorporated
conduct and codes of ethics. in commitments,
policies or codes
of conduct and/
or reference to the
Principles
2. Assessing impacts on children’s rights
The Principles call on businesses to identify and assess any actual or potential adverse child rights impacts they may
be involved in, either through their own activities or as a result of business relationships. This is a key element of
implementing the corporate responsibility to respect. The assessment process can also identify important opportunities
to support children’s rights, enabling the business to go beyond the avoidance of adverse impacts and take additional
steps to support governments, local communities, civil society and young people on urgent actions needed to fulfil the
rights of children.
A business may use a variety of tools, methodologies and sources to understand its child rights impacts, drawing on
internal and independent external expertise. In most scenarios, companies can integrate children’s rights considerations
into their broader human rights impact assessment processes as part of their efforts to implement the United Nations
Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. In some cases, companies might consider conducting a stand-alone
impact assessment.
Because situations are dynamic, assessments of human rights should be taken at regular intervals, as well as prior to any
new activity or significant business relationships, major decisions or changes to operations, and in response to actual
or anticipated changes in the operating environment. In summary, it is an ongoing and systematic process, drawing on
various sources and creating a comprehensive picture of impacts.

The assessment should also be sensitive to the different risks faced by boys and girls, and to the fact that particular groups
of children – such as indigenous and ethnic minorities, children with disabilities, rural/urban children, and refugee and
displaced children – may be more marginalized and vulnerable to discrimination and violations of their rights. Additionally,
situations of conflict and emergencies place children at a heighted risk of violations of their rights.
Stakeholder consultations for children
As appropriate for the size and nature of the business operation, consultations with children can be invaluable to
understanding their concerns. If a business generally undertakes stakeholder and community consultations, it should
recognize children as a distinct group. Engaging with relevant child rights experts and stakeholders such as parents
or caregivers, teachers, community leaders, government structures, youth organizations, children’s organizations and
nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) can help a business to more accurately understand its impacts on children.
When appropriate, and in coordination with child participation experts, the business might also choose to organize
consultations with children following ethical standards that make it effective and meaningful for children, as well as
useful for the company.
Engaging with children requires careful preparation and consideration to make sure the consultations are conducted
appropriately. It is very important that such consultations are sensitive and ensure that children are not put at risk as a
result of their participation. In some communities, for example, direct engagement with children can be sensitive and in
itself challenge and alter power dynamics.
For detailed guidance on assessing a company’s performance in meeting its responsibility to respect children’s rights
and its commitment to support children’s rights, refer to the UNICEF tool ‘Children’s Rights in Impact Assessments’
(www.unicef.org/csr/156.htm).
2 Integrate children’s rights considerations into the broader

PRIMARY CRITERIA
Does the company integrate children’s human rights impact assessment process as part of ongoing
rights considerations into human rights risk efforts to implement the Guiding Principles on Business and
and impact assessments and, as relevant, Human Rights.
other company risk and impact assess-
As part of identifying human rights risks and opportunities,
ments?
map all company operations and functions to determine where
detailed and specific in-depth assessment is needed to
understand child rights risks and opportunities in relation to
business lines, sites, facilities, products and services.
3 Consult children’s representatives or in specific circumstances,

Does the company recognize children as children themselves. Children have opinions, views,
stakeholders when it carries out experiences and information that can assist a company in better
stakeholder and community consultations? understanding the nature of its potential or actual impacts on
children’s rights.
Consultations with children require careful preparation and
adherence to ethical standards. A company may want to first
consult children’s representatives to obtain their views, and
then as a secondary measure, and only if appropriate and
meaningful for children, engage directly with children.

Disclosure topic
IMPACT ASSESSMENT
Strategy and Analysis: ➤ Describe key Strategy and Analysis: ➤ Describe key
1.2 Description of key impacts, impacts and risks G4-2 impacts and risks
risks, and opportunities. related to children’s a. Provide a description of key related to children’s
rights and actions impacts, risks, and opportunities. rights and actions
taken to address taken to address
these these
Stakeholder Engagement: ➤ Describe children Stakeholder Engagement: ➤ Describe children

4.14 List of stakeholder groups as a stakeholder G4-24 as a stakeholder
engaged by the organization. group including a. Provide a list of stakeholder group including
4.15 Basis for identification and participation and groups engaged by the organization. participation and
selection of stakeholders with consultation. G4-25 consultation.
whom to engage. Describe whether a. Report the basis for identification Describe whether
4.16 Approaches to stakeholder the company and selection of stakeholders with the company
engagement, including frequency consults or whom to engage. consults or
of engagement by type and by engages with G4-26 engages with
stakeholder group. other stakeholders a. Report the organization’s other stakeholders
4.17 Key topics and concerns or experts on approach to stakeholder or experts on
that have been raised through children’s rights, engagement, including frequency children’s rights,
stakeholder engagement, and how such as national of engagement by type and by such as national
the organization has responded authorities, civil stakeholder group, and an indication authorities, civil
to those key topics and concerns, society or advocacy of whether any of the engagement society or advocacy
including through its reporting. organization, etc. was undertaken specifically as part organization, etc.
of the report preparation process.
G4-27
a. Report key topics and concerns
that have been raised through
stakeholder engagement, and how

the organization has responded
to those key topics and concerns,
including through its reporting. Report
the stakeholder groups that raised
each of the key topics and concerns.
INDICATORS: INDICATORS:
HR10 Percentage and total number ➤ Disaggregate G4-LA15 Significant actual and ➤ Describe impacts on
of operations that have been by the number potential negative impacts for children’s rights and
subject to human rights reviews and percentage labour practices in the supply chain actions taken
and/or impact assessments of human rights and actions taken
reviews and/or
impact assessments
that incorporated
children’s rights
G4-HR9 Total number and ➤ Disaggregate
percentage of operations that by the number
have been subject to human rights and percentage
reviews or impact assessments of human rights
reviews and/or
impact assessments
that incorporated
children’s rights
G4-HR11 Significant actual and ➤ Describe impacts on

potential negative human rights children’s rights and
impacts in the supply chain and actions taken
actions taken

3. Integration and action for children
The integration of children’s rights refers to actions taken in response to particular impacts – both potential and actual
– as identified in the human rights impact assessment. The business can also consider developing action plans and
partnerships that leverage strategic opportunities to support children’s rights.
Effective due diligence requires that the company’s response is properly anchored in internal procedures and systems.
This includes allocating responsibility at the appropriate level and function within the business, as well as ensuring
sufficient resources and internal oversight to address performance. Additionally, establishing clear and measurable goals
is important for accountability.
Embedding children’s rights into company policies and procedures refers to creating a culture of respect for children’s
human rights and to recognizing these rights as a core value of the business. Examples of how to embed and integrate
assessment findings include corporate action to:
• Amend job descriptions to include responsibility for children’s rights.
• Train, empower and incentivize staff to deliver on child rights goals.
• Establish cross-functional groups to implement activities.
• Assign a focal point to champion children’s rights within the business.
• Ensure the sensitivity of grievance mechanisms for child rights issues.
• Set up an ombudsperson for children.
With regard to suppliers, partners or others with whom the business is linked, ensuring respect for children’s rights
should be built into contract modalities. Additionally, the provision of training and capacity-building opportunities can help
a business use its leverage to mitigate the risks to children.
For detailed information on what companies can do in response to assessment findings, refer to the UNICEF tool
‘Children’s Rights in Impact Assessments’, (www.unicef.org/csr/156.htm).
4 Embed children’s rights into company policies and procedures,

PRIMARY CRITERIA
Based on findings from risk and impact creating a culture of respect for the rights of children and
assessments, has the company identified recognizing these rights as a core value of the business.
specific actions to embed respect for
Based on assessment findings, embedding respect for
children’s rights across relevant internal
children’s rights includes taking action to:
functions and processes?
– amend job descriptions to include responsibility for specific
child rights issues;
– train, empower and incentivize staff to deliver on child rights-
related goals;
– establish cross-functional groups to implement activities;
– assign a focal point to champion children’s rights within the
business;
– ensure the sensitivity of grievance mechanisms for child
rights issues
5 Ensure that respect for children’s rights is built into contract

Does the company have a procedure to modalities and conditions and represented in dialogue, self-
screen, select, evaluate and prioritize assessment, audits, training and capacity-building opportunities
supplier or other business relationships for suppliers, subcontractors, customers, and other business
that integrates children’s rights into the partners. Where possible, foster long-term relationships
assessment scope and analysis? with suppliers, contractors and subcontractors – and use the
company’s influence to develop their respect for children’s
rights.

Disclosure topic
INTEGRATION
HR1 Percentage and total number of ➤ Describe how G4-LA14 Percentage of new ➤ Describe how
significant investment agreements children’s rights are suppliers that were screened using children’s rights are
and contracts that include human incorporated into labour practices criteria incorporated into
rights clauses or that have criteria/clauses criteria
undergone human rights screening
HR2 Percentage of significant ➤ Describe how G4-HR1 Total number and ➤ Describe how
suppliers, contractors, and other children’s rights are percentage of significant children’s rights are
business partners that have incorporated into investment agreements and incorporated into
undergone human rights screening, criteria/clauses contracts that include human rights criteria/clauses
and actions taken clauses or that underwent human
rights screening
HR3 Total hours of employee ➤ Disaggregate G4-HR2 Total hours of employee ➤ Disaggregate
training on policies and procedures by training that training on human rights policies by training that
concerning aspects of human rights incorporates or procedures concerning aspects incorporates
that are relevant to operations, children’s rights of human rights that are relevant children’s rights
including the percentage of to operations, including the
employees trained percentage of employees trained
G4-HR10 Percentage of new ➤ Describe how

suppliers that were screened using children’s rights are
human rights criteria incorporated into
criteria
4. Tracking performance and reporting on results
Depending on size and available resources, companies should consider reporting annually or periodically to internal and external
stakeholders on results achieved, dilemmas and challenges faced, and plans, targets and future commitments. This can form
part of an annual sustainability or corporate responsibility reporting cycle.
Tracking and communicating performance demonstrates that a business is serious about its commitment to children. Monitoring
and tracking the effectiveness of the company’s response is vital to verifying whether measures are addressing children’s
rights impacts effectively and whether policies and procedures are adequate. Monitoring should be ongoing and may build on
existing company systems, as long as they can incorporate qualitative and quantitative indicators that are relevant for children.
Ongoing monitoring includes collecting data on all incidents and allegations involving children, including cases where the
company was deemed responsible or where no responsibility was identified. Any reporting on child rights incidents or
allegations involving children should be carried out with caution to protect children’s rights to privacy to ensure that transparency
does not put children in a more vulnerable position.
For detailed information on communicating the company’s performance, refer to ‘Children’s Rights in Sustainability Reporting’
(www.unicef.org/csr/148.htm).
Primary assessment Taking action

criteria
6 Use ongoing monitoring to collect data on all incidents and allegations involv-
CRITERIA
PRIMARY
Does the company have ing children, including cases where the company was deemed responsible
monitoring and where no responsibility was identified. Consider setting targets on child
systems in place to track rights performance and communicate progress against these targets, both
progress and performance in internally and externally.
relation to impacts on Reporting on child rights incidents or allegations should be transparent, yet
children’s rights? always carried out with caution. Children’s safety, identity and privacy must
be protected throughout reporting and tracking procedures.

Disclosure topic
PERFORMANCE MONITORING AND REPORTING
3.5 Process for defining report ➤ Describe the Identified Material Aspects and
content, including: identified material Boundaries:
• Determining materiality; Aspects and G4-18 ➤ Describe the
• Prioritizing topics within the Boundaries which a. Explain the process for defining identified
report; and relate to or cover the report content and the Aspect material
• Identifying stakeholders the elements of Boundaries. Aspects and
organization expects to use the children’s rights b. Explain how the organization has Boundaries
report. implemented the Reporting Principles which relate
3.6 Boundary of the report (e.g., for Defining Report Content. to or cover
countries, divisions, subsidiaries, G4-19 elements of
leased facilities, joint ventures, a. List all the material Aspects identified children’s rights
suppliers). in the process for defining report
3.7 State any specific limitations on content.
the scope or boundary of the report. G4-20
a. For each material Aspect, report
the Aspect Boundary within the
organization, as follows:
• Report whether the Aspect is
material within the organization
• If the Aspect is not material for all
entities within the organization (as
described in G4-17), select one of the
following two approaches and report
either:
- The list of entities or groups of
entities included in G4-17 for
which the Aspect is not material or
- The list of entities or groups of
entities included in G4-17 for
which the Aspects is material
• Report any specific limitation
regarding the Aspect Boundary within
the organization
G4-21
a. For each material Aspect, report
the Aspect Boundary outside the
organization, as follows:
• Report whether the Aspect is
material outside of the organization
• If the Aspect is material outside of
the organization, identify the entities,
groups of entities or elements for
which the Aspect is material. In
addition, describe the geographical
location where the Aspect is material
for the entities identified
• Report any specific limitation
regarding the Aspect Boundary
outside the organization

5. Remediation for children
If a company determines that it might have caused or contributed to adverse impacts on children’s rights, it should provide
for or cooperate in remediation through legitimate processes, including operational-level grievance mechanisms (United
Nations Guiding Principle 22). In line with Guiding Principle 31, an ‘adequate’ mechanism should conform to principles of
legitimacy, accessibility, predictability, equitability, transparency and compatibility with rights. It should also be a source of
continuous learning, and based on engagement and dialogue when the business itself administers remediation.
As companies develop operational-level grievance mechanisms and processes for remedy, it is crucial to make these
mechanisms accessible to children. Companies may want to call on non-governmental organizations or local youth clubs
that work on children’s rights to explain to children how the grievance mechanism works. Additionally, children should not
be refused access or turned away in favour of a grievance filed by their parents.
Regarding the process for reporting incidents of rights violations, companies should ensure that children and young
people receive assistance from someone who is trained to communicate with them in a language they can understand.
Children’s safety, identity and privacy must be protected throughout the reporting procedure to ensure that they do not
experience retaliation from the alleged offender or others.
Take particular care to ensure that children and families are able to report instances of child sexual abuse, whether by
employees in the workplace, by security staff or in relation to community projects, including sports and education.
Mechanisms for reporting child sexual abuse should be confidential and safe, recognizing the many risks associated with
reporting allegations in situations of extreme vulnerability.
7 Establish grievance mechanisms to address child rights issues

PRIMARY CRITERIA
Does the company have effective and that are accessible to children and their families. Consider how
accessible grievance mechanisms in place informal and formal grievance mechanisms can reinforce each
to address alleged child rights violations? other.

Identify focal points for implementation of the grievance
mechanisms within the company and put in place measures
to test the effectiveness and accessibility of the mechanisms,
including as relevant for children, such as anonymous
information lines and whistleblower protections for employees.
8 Respond appropriately, genuinely and in a timely manner to

Does the company cooperate with formal allegations that the company has caused or contributed
legitimate processes, including judicial to a violation. When answering a claim from possible victims,
mechanisms, that provide remedies for do not adopt legal strategies that deny them access to justice
adverse impacts? by, for instance, seeking to move proceedings to a distant
location, issuing overly burdensome requests for data, or
intentionally delaying the justice process. If a government
investigation is initiated, cooperate with the relevant authorities
and provide complete and accurate information about the
events in question.

Disclosure topic
REMEDIATION
INDICATORS: GENERAL STANDARD DISCLOSURES:
HR4 Total number of incidents ➤ Describe children’s Ethics and Integrity:
of discrimination and corrective rights-related G4-57 a. Report the internal and ➤ Report the number
actions taken incidents external mechanisms for seeking of requests for
advice on ethical and lawful advice on ethical
behavior, and matters related to and lawful
organizational integrity, such as behaviour and the
helplines or advice lines. number of concerns
G4-58 a. Report the internal and about unethical or
external mechanisms for reporting unlawful behaviour
concerns about unethical or received concerning
unlawful behavior, and matters the rights of
related to organizational integrity, children, and how
such as escalation through line these have been
management, whistleblowing addressed
mechanisms or hotlines.
INDICATORS:
HR11 Number of grievances related ➤ Disaggregate to
to human rights filed, addressed, cover number of ➤ Disaggregate to
G4-LA16 Number of grievances
and resolved through formal children’s rights- cover number of
about labour practices filed,
grievance mechanisms related grievances children’s rights-
addressed, and resolved through
filed, addressed and related grievances
formal grievance mechanisms
resolved through filed, addressed and
formal grievance resolved through
mechanisms formal grievance
mechanisms
G4-HR3 Total number of incidents ➤ Describe children’s
of discrimination and corrective rights-related
actions taken incidents
G4-HR12 Number of grievances ➤ Disaggregate to

about human rights impacts filed, cover number of
addressed, and resolved through children’s rights-
formal grievance mechanisms related grievances
filed, addressed and
resolved through
formal grievance
mechanisms
Principle 2. Contribute towards the elimination of child labour
This section on child labour will need close attention if the company operates in a context that is characterized by any of
the factors listed below. External resources are provided in the annex when comprehensive data sources are available
by country.
• Age of school completion is not the same as the legal working age
• High risk or incidence of child labour in the area, country or region
• High levels of labour migration
• Low availability of schooling, low quality of schooling, and low levels of school enrolment and education completion
• Poverty
• Prevalence of informal economy
• Weak legal systems, policies and institutions
• Labour costs
• Low capital-labour ratio.

ILO Convention 138 requires national governments to set the minimum legal age of children allowed to enter the
workforce, seeking to ensure that work does not interfere with compulsory schooling. It also provides strict age-related
guidelines about the nature of work that can be lawfully undertaken by a child.
There is wide agreement that certain types of work are so dangerous that children should never be engaged in it, and that
any children who are so employed should be immediately provided with an alternative. As established in ILO Convention 182
on the worst forms of child labour, this includes: (a) all forms of slavery, the sale and trafficking of children, debt bondage and
serfdom, and forced or compulsory labour, including recruitment of children for use in armed conflict; (b) the use, procuring or
offering of a child for prostitution, or production of pornography; (c) the use, procuring or offering of a child for illicit activities,
in particular for production and trafficking of drugs; and (d) work that is likely to harm children’s health, safety or morals. The
last item is also referred to as ‘hazardous’ work, which typically includes long working hours, work at night, work at dangerous
heights, or work with dangerous machinery, equipment and tools; the transport of heavy loads; exposure to hazardous
substances or processes; unreasonable confinement to the employer’s premises.
The main principles of ILO’s Convention 138 concerning the minimum age of admission to employment and work are
summarized in the table below.
Minimum age Possible

TYPES OF WORK for a child to exceptions for
start work developing
countries
Hazardous work – any work that is likely to jeopardize children’s physical, 18* 18*
mental or moral health, safety or morals should not be done by anyone under
age 18.
Basic minimum age – the minimum age for work should not be below the 15 14**
age for finishing compulsory schooling, which is generally 15.
Light work – children aged 13–15 may do light work, as long as it does not 13–15 12–14**
threaten their health and safety, or hinder their education or vocational orien-
tation and training.
* Age 16 can be applied under strict conditions set in article 3.3 of ILO Convention 138 and paragraph 4 of ILO Recommendation 190.
** If a country has ratified ILO Convention 138 with this temporary derogation, the basic minimum age that a child may start work can
be set at 14 years old, and the minimum age for light work can be set between 12 and 14 years old.
Source: International Labour Organization, ‘ILO Conventions and Recommendations on child labour’, www.ilo.org/ipec/facts/
ILOconventionsonchildlabour/lang--en/index.htm
Child labour is both a cause and a consequence of poverty. Poverty pushes children into child labour, and with early entry
into the labour force, many children delay starting school, fail to complete a basic education or never attend school at all.
Without an education, children have minimal possibilities for breaking the cycle of poverty.
Children in the workplace are particularly vulnerable to exploitation, violence and abuse, including sexual exploitation. They
are commonly subjected to beating, kicking and slapping; shouting, insults, threats and bullying; and sexual harassment,
fondling and rape. These experiences have been described as “often systematic and part of a collective workplace culture
of physical brutality, shouting, bad language and casual violence.”8
Children who migrate for work, especially those who are unaccompanied, are most exposed to the worst forms of child
labour. Isolated from their families and community, unaccompanied children are vulnerable to exploitation, coercion,
deception and violence.9 They are at risk of becoming victims of trafficking and, if travelling across borders, they may lack
legal status and legal protection in the country of destination. Employers often control their payment, work conditions
and housing arrangements. Employers may also withhold passports or wages from migrant workers, creating a situation
of forced or bonded labour.
8 Pinheiro, Paulo Sérgio, ‘Violence against Children in Places of Work’, chapter 6 in World Report on Violence against Children, United Nations,
Geneva, 2006, p. 242; a PDF of this chapter is available at www.unicef.org/violencestudy/reports.html.
9 Glind, Hans van de, ‘Migration and Child Labour: Exploring child-migrant vulnerabilities and those of children left-behind’, International
Labour Organization, Geneva, September 2010, p. 9.

Primary assessment criteria What companies can do
9 Develop a policy with explicit reference to ILO Convention No.

PRIMARY CRITERIA
Does the company have a policy clearly 138 on the minimum age for employment and work, and ILO
stating the minimum age for employment Convention No. 182 on the prohibition and immediate action for
in line with national law or international the elimination of the worst forms of child labour.
standards, whichever is higher?
Make sure the policy clearly states the minimum age for
employment in line with national law or international standards,
whichever is higher. Include the definition of ‘child labour’ –
for example, that the minimum age for any employee is 15 or
the minimum school leaving age, whichever is oldest, unless
a minimum age of 14 has been agreed through consultation
with the country’s government and employers’ and workers’
organizations.
10 Understand the specific situation in the area, country or region

Is there a process in place to identify and where the business is operating. Pay close attention to ‘red flags’,
assess risks and impacts related to the including:
minimum age policy within the company’s
– age of school completion is not the same as the legal working
operations and value chain?
age;
– high risk or incidence of child labour in the area, country or
region;
– high levels of labour migration;
– low availability of schooling, low quality of schooling, and low
levels of school
enrolment and education completion;
– poverty and prevalence of informal economy;
– weak legal systems, policies and institutions.
Supply chain audits can also serve as a starting point to identifying
and assessing potential risks for child labour:
– supplier’s recruitment process is not described sufficiently
in countries that are considered high-risk
– level of supplier’s compliance maturity level
– change of factory or facility management
Due diligence includes actions to:
– communicate the company’s child labour standards to all
those with whom it has a business relationship;
– always integrate child labour standards through human
rights clauses in contractual agreements;
– screen business relationships, e.g., use preselection ques-
tionnaires that assess child rights performance;
– monitor and audit business partners’ compliance with child
labour standards and conduct on-site spot checks of their
facilities;
– provide training and other capacity-building and support
activities to staff.

11 Continuously monitor and analyze information on children
PRIMARY CRITERIA
Does the company have a process in place employed in violation of minimum age requirements; the
for monitoring, reporting and managing company can do this alone or in partnership with other actors.
cases where children below the minimum This information will provide knowledge on the situation, trends
age are discovered? and impact of company actions to address minimum age
violations.
Aim to remove children from child labour – and immediately
from hazardous situations – while providing alternatives that
prevent them from being pushed into more dangerous survival
alternatives, such as sexual exploitation or trafficking. Before an
underage worker is dismissed from employment, make sure a
remediation programme is available, such as:
– assistance with access to education, transitional schooling
or vocational training;
– replacing a child labourer with an adult family member to
compensate for the family’s loss of income.
Keep in mind that each incident requires an approach tailored to
the child’s age, working conditions, home situation and
education level, and the availability of schooling. Companies can
cooperate with parents or caregivers, schools, local NGOs and
child rights organisations and government agencies to find the
best solution.
12 Establish procedures and practices to prevent, identify and

Does the company have clear procedures investigate alleged abuse, intimidation, harassment, trafficking,
in place for identifying and addressing the sexual exploitation and labour exploitation of a child. If child
worst forms of child labour, including rights violations are discovered, arrange immediate assistance
hazardous work, trafficking, sexual for the child and referral to the appropriate local child protection
exploitation, debt bondage and forced authority or, if no government authority is available, refer to a
labour? local child rights NGO.
13 Identify and consider what steps can be taken to provide a living

Has the company taken steps to wage – enabling families to survive without recourse to child
understand what constitutes an adequate labour – for each country where the business operates. Be aware
living wage in the country/countries of that the legal minimum wage in many countries is lower than the
operation? living wage.
14 - SUPPORT As part of the fight against child labour, take an active role in
Does the company take specific actions to eliminating poverty in the communities where the company is
support the broader community, industry operating. Efforts to address the root causes of child labour are
and national and international efforts to unlikely to be effective without a multi-stakeholder approach. In
eliminate child labour? addition to ensuring that the company’s supply chain is based
on payment of living wages to those who work in it, support
social protection programmes that assist families in generating
income.
15 Ensure that a grievance mechanism is in place and is accessible

Is there a formal grievance mechanism in to children and those who can report child labour violations on
place for receiving, processing, behalf of children. Inform employees, suppliers, service provid-
investigating and responding to reports of ers and other stakeholders about the grievance mechanism, the
violations regarding the employment of channels available to report child labour, and how to recognize
children below the minimum age? the risks and occurrences of child labour.
Community members, procurement staff who visit suppliers in
the field, auditors, trade unions, local NGOs and government
officials should all be informed about the company’s grievance
procedures. Phone hotlines or online channels for reporting
child labour incidences can be effective

Disclosure topic
DUE DILIGENCE
Operations and suppliers identified as having significant risk for incidents of child labour
Measures taken to contribute to the effective abolition of child labour and addressing root causes of child labour
EC5 Range of ratios of ➤ Payment of wages G4-EC5 Ratios of standard entry ➤ Payment of wages above
standard entry level wage above the minimum level wage by gender compared to the minimum can contribute
by gender compared to local can contribute to local minimum wage at significant to adult workers’ ability to
minimum wage at significant adult workers’ ability locations of operation support a family and thus
locations of operation to support a family reduce child labour
and thus reduce
child labour
HR2 Percentage of ➤ Describe how G4-LA14 Percentage of new ➤ Describe how children’s
significant suppliers, children’s rights are suppliers that were screened using rights are incorporated into
contractors, and other incorporated into labour practices criteria criteria
business partners that have criteria/clauses
undergone human rights
screening, and actions taken
HR6 Operations and ➤ Describe risks and G4-LA15 Significant actual and ➤ Describe impacts on
significant suppliers identified actions taken potential negative impacts for children’s rights and actions
as having significant risk for labour practices in the supply chain taken
incidents of child labour, and and actions taken
measures taken to contribute
to the effective abolition of
child labour
HR7 Operations and ➤ Disclose significant G4-HR5 Operations and suppliers ➤ Describe risks and actions
significant suppliers risks for incidents of identified as having significant risk taken
identified as having forced or compulsory for incidents of child labour, and
significant risk for incidents labour concerning measures taken to contribute to the
of forced or compulsory children and actions effective abolition of child labour
labour, and measures to taken
contribute to the elimination
of all forms of forced or
compulsory labour
G4-HR6 Operations and suppliers ➤ Disclose significant risks

identified as having significant risk for incidents of forced
for incidents of forced or compulsory or compulsory labour
labour, and measures to contribute concerning children and
to the elimination of all forms of actions taken
forced or compulsory labour
G4-HR10 Percentage of new ➤ Describe how children’s

suppliers that were screened using rights are incorporated into
human rights criteria criteria
G4-HR11 Significant actual and ➤ Describe impacts on

potential negative human rights children’s rights and actions
impacts in the supply chain and taken
actions taken

Disclosure topic
REMEDIATION
INDICATORS INDICATORS
HR11 Number of grievances related ➤ Disaggregate to G4-LA16 Number of grievances ➤ Disaggregate to

to human rights filed, addressed, cover number of about labour practices filed, cover number of
and resolved through formal children’s rights- addressed, and resolved through children’s rights-
grievance mechanisms related grievances formal grievance mechanisms related grievances
filed, addressed and filed, addressed and
resolved through resolved through
formal grievance formal grievance
mechanisms mechanisms
resolved through
formal grievance
mechanisms
Principle 3. Provide decent work for young workers, parents and caregivers
This section on decent work, especially as related to young workers and families, will need close attention if the company
operates in a context that is characterized by any of the factors listed below. External resources are provided in the annex
when comprehensive data sources are available by country.
• High number of young workers
• High levels of labour migration
• Poverty
• Large-scale and compulsory student internship programme that may be used to compensate for labour shortages
• Lack of respect for freedom of association and collective bargainingPrevalence of informal economy.
Respecting the rights of young workers
Not all work carried out by a child is child labour. ‘Young workers’, for the purpose of this publication, are those above the
legal working age and under 18 years old.
Business has an important role to play in promoting decent employment for young workers, as well as in respecting and
supporting the rights of children in the workplace who have reached the general minimum age for employment. Children in
this group enjoy their rights as children under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, in addition to their rights as workers
under national and international labour laws. Working children, for example, should be able to attend school, and securing
this right provides them with a clear advantage for their future economic, social and personal development.
Young workers can be engaged in appropriate work as defined by ILO Convention 138. This ranges from light work combined
with education – which is appropriate for 13-year-olds, or 12-year-olds where national legislation permits it in accordance
with a general minimum age of 14 (see the table on ‘Types of work’, on page 20) – to apprenticeships and other transitional
programmes by which children move from education into full-time work. However, if children of the legal working age and
under the age of 18 are in hazardous work or other of the worst forms of child labour defined by ILO Convention 182, it is
child labour and therefore prohibited.
Young workers are particularly vulnerable to many forms of violence, exploitation and abuse – including sexual exploitation,
unfair wages and conditions that take advantage of their age, inexperience and powerlessness. Due to their size and stage
of development compared to adults, young workers are at greater risk of physical and psychological problems related to
work. Risk areas for young workers include heavy lifting and the use of complex machinery designed for adults; exposure
to high-pressure situations or emotionally demanding assignments; and contact with direct and ambient hazards, such as
those caused by toxic chemicals, to which they are even more vulnerable than adults.

Young workers are experiencing an evolving stage of maturity; they often know little about their rights and are unable to
speak up against abuse they encounter at the hands of supervisors or adult workers. In many countries, students from
vocational schools are sent to work at companies to complement their studies. In many cases, these students are required
to demonstrate work experience in order to fulfil graduation requirements, but they are carrying out ordinary line jobs
that have little to no correlation to their studies. Because of their vulnerability and age, they may be involuntarily exposed
to overtime and low wages. This is particularly relevant in countries where there are large-sale and compulsory student
internship programmes that may be used to compensate for labour shortages.
Young migrant workers are particularly vulnerable to abusive labour arrangements and trafficking because they are outside
the protective environment of their community and, in some cases, outside their home country. Furthermore, when
unaccompanied, they are separated from the protective environment of their family.
16 Create internal guidelines to protect young workers and student workers.

PRIMARY CRITERIA
Does the company have a defined Identify risk areas for young workers, including:
approach to providing decent
– heavy lifting and the use of complex machinery designed for adults;
working conditions for young
workers and student workers? – exposure to high-pressure situations and emotionally demanding
assignments;
– contact with direct and ambient hazards, such as those caused by toxic
chemicals.
Young workers are more vulnerable than adults to injury or illness as a
result of their work, so assessments need to be made of their working
conditions and environment to ensure that this is taken into consideration
when assigning tasks and locations.
17 - SUPPORT Consider recruitment of workers above the minimum age for employment,
Does the company seek to provide particularly in areas with high levels of youth unemployment. This type of
employment opportunities for policy can help address disempowerment and lack of opportunities among
young people? idle youth.
18 Maintain a record of all employees under age 18 and provide ongoing su-
Does the company have clear pervision. Check periodically to review and report on whether young work-
procedures in place for how to ers are effectively prohibited from carrying out hazardous tasks; that their
prevent, identify and address welfare, health and safety are safeguarded, in particular their exposure to
any alleged violations of a young stress and strain; and that their workload is readjusted accordingly.
worker’s labour rights?
19 - SUPPORT Consider supporting children’s rights by establishing or contributing to

Does the company support skills relevant vocational and training programmes. Companies can empower
development of young people local youth through apprenticeships and vocational training opportunities
through that help them attain employment, rather than hiring young workers from
apprenticeships and training? outside the area.
Apprenticeships and training programmes should be implemented in line
with good practices, as identified by the International Labour Organization,
for providing quality apprenticeship programmes that bridge training
to productive and decent work, e.g., apprenticeships organized within
industry sectors by tripartite bodies (government, employers’ organizations
and trade unions) identifying training needs, curricula, apprenticeship
standards and mechanisms for assessing learning outcomes.
20 Put in place a mechanism whereby young workers can submit confidential

Is there a formal grievance complaints, in any form, regarding violations of their rights.
mechanism in place for receiving,
Be sensitive to young workers’ evolving capacities to express and defend
processing, investigating and
themselves. If a young worker submits a grievance against a supervisor
responding to reports of violations
or other employee who could potentially retaliate, ensure that either party
of young workers’ rights, including
is transferred to alternative duties without prejudice until the dispute is
students and vocational school
resolved.
workers?

Disclosure topic
DUE DILIGENCE
Operations and suppliers identified for their potential or actual impact on young workers
INDICATORS: GENERAL STANDARD
DISCLOSURES:
LA1 Total workforce by ➤ Disaggregate by
employment type, employment young workers Organizational Profile: ➤ Disaggregate by
contract, and region, broken down G4-10 young workers
by gender a. Report the total number of
employees by employment
contract and gender.
b. Report the total number of
permanent employees by
employment type and gender.
c. Report the total workforce by
employees and supervised
workers and by gender.
d. Report the total workforce by
region and gender.
e. Report whether a substantial
portion of the organization’s work
is performed by workers who
are legally recognized as self-
employed, or by individuals other
than employees or supervised
workers, including employees
and supervised employees of
contractors.
f. Report any significant variations
in employment numbers
(such as seasonal variations in
employment in the tourism or
agricultural industries).
LA2 Total number and rate of new ➤ Consider young INDICATORS:

employee hires and employee workers as an age
turnover by age group, gender, and group G4-LA1 Total number and rates of ➤ Consider young
region new employee hires and employee workers as an age
turnover by age group, gender and group
region
LA3 Benefits provided to full-time ➤ Disclose benefits G4-LA2 Benefits provided to ➤ Disclose benefits
employees that are not provided to provided to young full-time employees that are not provided to young
temporary or part-time employees, workers provided to temporary or part-time workers
by significant locations of operation employees, by significant locations
of operation
LA5 Minimum notice period(s) ➤ Disclose minimum

regarding operational changes, notice periods
including whether it is specified in regarding
collective agreements operational changes
that may affect
children’s rights and/
or young workers
LA6 Percentage of total workforce ➤ Disaggregate by

represented in formal joint age group including
management–worker health young workers
and safety committees that help
monitor and advise on occupational
health and safety programs
LA7 Rates of injury, occupational ➤ Disaggregate by
diseases, lost days, and absenteeism, age group including
and total number of work-related young workers
fatalities, by region and by gender

Disclosure topic
LA8 Education, training, ➤ Disaggregate by G4-LA4 Minimum notice periods ➤ Disclose minimum
counseling, prevention, and age group including regarding operational changes, notice periods regarding
risk-control programs in place to young workers including whether these are operational changes that
assist workforce members, their specified in collective agreements may affect children’s
families, or community members rights and/or young
regarding serious diseases workers
LA9 Health and safety topics ➤ Disclose health and G4-LA5 Percentage of total ➤ Disaggregate by age
covered in formal agreements safety topics related workforce represented in formal group including young
with trade unions to young workers joint management–worker health workers
and safety committees that help
monitor and advise on occupational
health and safety programs
LA10 Average hours of training ➤ Disaggregate by G4-LA6 Type of injury and rates of ➤ Disaggregate by age
per year per employee, by gender, age group including injury, occupational diseases, lost group including young
and by employee category young workers days, and absenteeism, and total workers
number of work-related fatalities, by
region and by gender
LA12 Percentage of employees ➤ Disaggregate by G4-LA7 Workers with high ➤ Disaggregate by age
receiving regular performance and age group including incidence or high risk of diseases group including young
career development reviews, by young workers related to their occupation workers
gender
LA13 Composition of governance ➤ Consider young G4-LA8 Health and safety topics ➤ Disclose health and
bodies and breakdown of workers as an age covered in formal agreements with safety topics related to
employees per employee category group trade unions young workers
according to gender, age group,
minority group membership, and
other indicators of diversity
LA14 Ratio of basic salary and ➤ Disaggregate by G4-LA9 Average hours of training ➤ Disaggregate by age
remuneration of women to young workers per year per employee by gender, group including young
men by employee category, by and by employee category workers
significant locations of operation
HR5 Operations and significant ➤ Disclose significant G4-LA11 Percentage of employees ➤ Disaggregate by age
suppliers identified in which risks for freedom receiving regular performance and group including young
the right to exercise freedom of association and career development reviews, by workers
of association and collective collective bargaining gender and by employee category
bargaining may be violated or at with respect to young
significant risk, and actions taken workers and actions
to support these rights taken
HR6 Operations and significant ➤ This Indicator also G4-LA12 Composition of ➤ Consider young workers
suppliers identified as having includes risk for governance bodies and breakdown as an age group
significant risk for incidents of incidents of young of employees per employee
child labour, and measures taken workers exposed to category according to gender, age
to contribute to the effective hazardous work group, minority group membership,
abolition of child labour and other indicators of diversity
G4-LA13 Ratio of basic salary and ➤ Disaggregate by young

remuneration of women to men by workers
employee category, by significant
locations of operation
G4-HR4 Operations and suppliers ➤ Disclose significant risks

identified in which the right to for freedom of association
exercise freedom of association and and collective bargaining
collective bargaining may be violated with respect to young
or at significant risk, and measures workers and actions taken
taken to support these rights
G4-HR5 Operations and suppliers ➤ This Indicator also
identified as having significant risk includes risk for incidents
for incidents of child labour, and of young workers exposed
measures taken to contribute to the to hazardous work
effective abolition of child labour

Establishing a family-friendly workplace
The indispensable role of parents and other adult caregivers in raising and protecting children and enabling their
development is widely accepted. The family is a child’s primary source of both material and emotional support, and the
CRC recognizes the family as the fundamental unit of society and the ideal environment for the growth and well-being
of children.
Businesses can support families by providing an adequate living wage in the country of operations, and by ensuring fair
employment terms and decent working conditions. They can also make a significant contribution to support children’s
rights by going beyond legal compliance and establishing family-friendly workplaces that support employees in meeting
both their work commitments and family responsibilities.
When developing policies to support families, businesses should avoid discrimination based on a family’s composition.
All families – regardless of the parents’ marital status and sexual orientation, whether children are biological or adopted,
and whether there are two parents or one, or a caregiver has been entrusted with responsibility for the children – should
receive equal support towards being able to care for their children. Parental leave, breastfeeding policies and flexible
workplace policies can enable parents and caregivers to support children during the crucial phase of early childhood,
when interactions with family have a profound influence on children’s development and growth. Providing protection for
mothers, including their right to paid maternity leave and to medical care, is a vital component of protecting children’s
health and well-being.
21 Develop policies that outline employees’ rights to decent

PRIMARY CRITERIA
Does the company have family-friendly working conditions, including but not limited to statutory sick
policies in place to accommodate, prohibit pay, overtime pay, social contributions, living wage, parental
discrimination against, and ensure adequate leave, flexible working practices, family health policies, special
standards of living for workers with family arrangements for migrant workers, and childcare arrangements.
responsibilities.
22 Ensure the respect for core labour standards and human rights
Does the company provide conditions of within the company’s own operations and throughout the value
employment that accommodate, prohibit chain.
discrimination against, and ensure adequate
standards of living for workers with family
responsibilities?

DUE DILIGENCE
Operations and suppliers identified for their potential or actual child rights impact through employees who are parents
or caregivers
EC5 Range of ratios of standard ➤ Payment of wages G4-EC5 Ratios of standard entry ➤ Payment of wages
entry level wage by gender above the minimum level wage by gender compared to above the minimum
compared to local minimum wage can contribute to local minimum wage at significant can contribute to
at significant locations of operation adult workers’ ability locations of operation adult workers’ ability
to support a family to support a family
and thus reduce and thus reduce
child labour child labour
LA3 Benefits provided to full-time ➤ Disclose specific G4-LA2 Benefits provided to ➤ Disclose specific
employees that are not provided to benefits that support full-time employees that are not benefits that support
temporary or part-time employees, children’s rights provided to temporary or part-time children’s rights
by significant locations of operation employees, by significant locations
of operation
LA15 Return to work and retention G4-LA3 Return to work and
rates after parental leave, by gender retention rates after parental leave,
by gender
REMEDIATION
HR4 Total number of incidents ➤ Disaggregate to G4-LA16 Number of grievances ➤ Disaggregate to

of discrimination and corrective include young about labour practices filed, and cover number of
actions taken workers resolved through formal grievance young workers-
mechanisms related grievances
resolved through
formal grievance
mechanisms
HR11 Number of grievances related ➤ Disaggregate to G4-HR3 Total number of incidents ➤ Disaggregate to
to human rights filed, addressed, cover number of of discrimination and corrective include young
and resolved through formal young workers- actions taken workers
grievance mechanisms related grievances
resolved through
formal grievance
mechanisms
addressed, and resolved through young workers-
resolved through
formal grievance
mechanisms

Principle 4. Ensure the protection and safety of children in all business activities
and facilities
Companies must understand and address safety and protection risks to children posed by business facilities and staff
during the course of business activities. Businesses should have zero-tolerance for violence, abuse and exploitation of
children in any business facilities, property, resources and communications networks.
Business facilities or resources can be misused to facilitate the abuse and exploitation of children in any number of ways – usually
without the company’s knowledge and contrary to its values, its corporate image and its stated internal regulations. Employees
can use company property such as computers or phones to download sexual abuse images, or they might abuse company funds,
for example, during business travel, to engage in sexual exploitation of children or to pay for child-abuse images.
The conduct of employees in company-supported housing presents additional risks. Children are often employed as domestic
workers, for example, or live on a company-provided residential compound as a family member of a domestic worker. Remote
worksites that rely on a large, transient workforce often present situations that are conducive to child exploitation, for example,
through prostitution or involvement in other illegal activities.
23 Consider establishing a child protection policy or code of

PRIMARY CRITERIA
Does the company have a zero-tolerance conduct that stipulates zero tolerance for any type of violence,
policy on violence, exploitation and abuse of exploitation or abuse of children. Integrate this zero-tolerance
children, including but not limited to sexual clause into other relevant company policies.
exploitation?
This is particularly relevant if the company provides services to
children, has direct contact with children, or if the business is
located in an environment where there is a significant presence
or risk of child exploitation.
24 Ensure that procedures are in place that can be implemented

Is there a process in place to identify, if an abuse or violation is reported. If a child rights violation
assess and monitor risks and impacts is reported, take the necessary steps to contact the relevant
related to non-compliance with the zero- authorities to investigate the allegation and to ensure suitable
tolerance policy on violence, exploitation care for the victim. The company should assist the authorities
and abuse of children? in any investigation of alleged abuse or exploitation involving
company employees, facilities or resources, particularly when
these activities involve children; this will send a clear message
of zero tolerance to employees and customers.
25 Provide training for staff and ensure they are aware of their
Does the company provide training for all responsibilities regarding proper and lawful conduct for child
managers and employees on the protection.
zero-tolerance policy on violence,
exploitation and abuse of children?
26 Ensure that a grievance mechanism is in place and is accessible

Is there a formal grievance mechanism in to children and those who can report child rights violations on
place for receiving, processing, their behalf, such as community members, local NGOs and
investigating and responding to complaints government officials.
about violence, exploitation and abuse of
If a child reports an allegation to a company staff member,
children in the context of business
the child should be shown that she or he is taken seriously.
activities?
Responses to children must be confidential, safe and timely.
Children should be interviewed by professionally trained staff,
and any investigation should be conducted by a relevant
authority outside the company.
Also inform employees, customers, suppliers, service providers
and other stakeholders about the available channels to report
incidences. Phone hotlines and online channels for reporting
child abuse incidences can be effective.

Disclosure topic
DUE DILIGENCE
Operations or suppliers identified for their impact on children’s rights through business activities and facilities
STRATEGY AND PROFILE GENERAL STANDARD
DISCLOSURES: DISCLOSURES:
Governance: ➤ Describe child Ethics and Integrity: ➤ Describe child

4.8 Internally developed statements protection codes G4-56 protection codes
of mission or values, codes of of conduct or a. Describe the organization’s of conduct or
conduct, and principles relevant other principles or values, principles, standards and other principles or
to economic, environmental, and policies to ensure norms of behavior such as codes of policies to ensure
social performance and the status the protection and conduct and codes of ethics. the protection and
of their implementation. safety of children safety of children
in all business in all business
Explain the degree to which these: activities and activities and
• Are applied across the facilities facilities
organization in different regions
and department/units; and
• Relate to internationally agreed
standards.
Child protection in all business activities, including through products and services
Some industries have unique challenges in ensuring children’s protection. The travel and tourism industry,for example,
can inadvertently facilitate sexual abuse and exploitation by tourists and visitors. Services for communications, the
Internet and online financial transactions can be used by criminals as convenient and risk-free avenues to target child
victims, perpetuate child pornography or sell services that abuse children. Awareness, innovation and action by industry
leaders can be crucial to ending violence, abuse and exploitation of children.

Principle 5. Ensure that products and services are safe, and seek to support
children’s rights through them
Every company has the responsibility to ensure that products and services are safe and respect children’s rights, whether
or not the products and services are intended for children’s use. This concern stems from the reality that children are not
simply small versions of adults. The same characteristics that make children more susceptible to environmental hazards
must be considered in product development, safety and testing. Given the sensitivity of the issues involving children’s
physical and mental health, companies need to take a proactive approach to ensure that products and services do not
affect children negatively.
Product safety, testing and research
Product safety is a crucial concern for companies. This includes products intended for children, such as toys, and products
that children use incidentally, which may cause them harm if they are inherently unsuitable or used inappropriately. Once
children reach age 5, unintentional injuries are the biggest threat to their survival.10 For many products with no regulations,
introducing standards can be a slow and cumbersome process. Even where they exist, standards may not take specific
account of children.
Product research and testing involving children raises significant ethical concerns, and it is important to recognize that
parents or guardians may have little or no understanding of how safe and ethical research trials should be conducted.
When parents are under economic pressure, they may be motivated to enrol their children in trials without determining
their safety. There are many cases in which children have been used for pharmaceutical testing and have suffered severe
damage to their health. Some of this testing took place without the parents’ consent or awareness, or information was
not provided about the potential side effects of the drugs.
Misuse of products and services to exploit children

In addition to concerns about safety of products and services, there is growing disquiet about their misuse to exploit
children. All companies must consider whether they are providing products, services or resources to employees and
customers that make it easy or even encourage the sexual exploitation and abuse of children – and there are certain
sectors where this is especially pertinent.
Sexual exploitation of children in the context of travel and tourism is a global phenomenon. Tourism infrastructure (hotels,
airlines, tour operators, travel agents) is routinely used by perpetrators to sexually exploit children. Typical scenarios
for abuse involve travellers, both domestic and international, abusing children who have been forced into prostitution
in tourism destinations. This generally, but not exclusively, occurs in countries that are popular tourist destinations and
where the legal system is ineffective infinding and prosecuting child abusers. Sexual exploitation of children takes both
organized and improvised forms in bars, hotels and other tourism facilities, fuelled by complex criminal networks providing
trafficked children, generally from rural to urban areas.
Travel, tourism and transportation companies have an important role in preventing the use of their services or facilities
for such purposes. Similarly, financial services companies can prevent perpetrators from using credit cards to pay for the
sexual exploitation and abuse of children, including exploitation of children in pornography.
Information technology is also widely used to exploit children. While the Internet provides positive opportunities for
children to learn and connect, it has also enabled new and increasingly harmful methods to violate children’s rights. The
Internet can be a vehicle that exposes children to sexual exploitation; harassment and intimidation, such as cyberbullying;
and inappropriate and dangerous materials or content. Online content may also socialize children to violence and other
forms of psychological manipulation, such as self-harm or harm to others.
10 World Health Organization, ‘Child Injury Prevention: Report by the Secretariat’, A/64/23, Geneva, 17 March 2011; open PDF at
http://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA64/A64_23-en.pdf.

27 Develop relevant policies and standards with reference to

PRIMARY CRITERIA
Does the company have policies in place national laws and applicable standards. Many countries have
outlining how it ensures the safety of specific, often mandatory, standards for a wide range of goods
children when using or exposed to its and services for children – including toys, nursery furniture,
products and services, including in research children’s clothes, playground equipment and safety equipment
and testing, as relevant? such as helmets. These standards address acceptable levels of
harmful substances, safety and security concerns.
For companies that conduct research and testing involving
children, policies should mandate compliance with international
and national ethical and scientific guidelines.
28 Any scientific research with or on children must be conducted

Does the company ensure that children’s only if necessary and if specific to their health needs, and the
rights are respected during all stages of research cannot be carried out on adults. Consult professionals
research, including any research with or on throughout the research process and ensure that all personnel
children? involved have received training on children’s health issues.
The choice of a particular trial involving a group of children
requires clear scientific justification and full disclosure of the
benefits and risks to children, their parents or guardians. The
company should ensure low risks to the child and high
importance of the knowledge to be gained. Free and informed
consent is required by both the legal guardian and the child if
the age and maturity of the child is such that he or she can give
free and informed consent.
29 Identify and reduce potential health dangers from both intended

Are procedures in place for the company to and unintended use of products or services. Products designed
assess and monitor the use of its products for children should meet particularly high quality and safety
and services in order to identify any requirements. Safety concerns must also be addressed for
dangers (mental, moral or physical) to products or services that are not designed for children’s use but
children’s health and safety? nonetheless present hazards to children.
Once products and services are available on the market, end-
user monitoring can track any safety risks or harms to children.
Proven methods of risk reduction include requiring child-
resistant packaging and warning labels for medications and
substances that are toxic to children. If there is evidence that a
product is widely used by children, the company should move
beyond basic risk reduction and consider taking steps to change
the product.
30 Ensure that product labels and instructions conform

Does the company have a system in with national and international standards on child health,
place to ensure that product labels and environmental health and safety standards. Include:
instructions ensure children’s safety?
– clear instructions in the national official language(s) about
the correct use, storage and disposal of the product;
– a written caption about potential health or other safety
hazards related to improper use or documented dangerous
dual use of the product;
– specific warnings on the dangers of child misuse on product
labels and instructions.

31 Identify any risks that products and services may be used
PRIMARY CRITERIA
Are procedures in place for the company to to exploit children. Assess whether products and services,
assess and monitor the use of its products including resources and facilities for customers, are likely to
and services to ensure that they are not facilitate child exploitation and abuse directly or raise secondary
used inappropriately to abuse, exploit or or indirect risks stemming from their use.
otherwise harm children?
Based on the company’s assessment, take proactive steps to
counter exploitation.
Actions can include:
– product development or modifications that take specific risk
factors into consideration;
– training for staff and awareness raising among staff and
consumers on the legal, moral and physical ramifications
of child exploitation and how and where this should be
reported.
– partnering with stakeholders or law
enforcement to prevent or address misuse of products to
exploit or abuse children
32 - SUPPORT Companies can use innovation to seek avenues for positively

Does the company support children’s rights impacting children’s well-being and development, aligned with
through innovation, research, development core competencies in products, services and
and distribution of products and services? distribution channels. Examples include:
– developing products and services that are essential to
children’s survival and
development;
– supporting equal access to products and services;
– promoting healthy lifestyles for children.
33 Inform employees, customers, suppliers, service providers and

Is there a formal mechanism in place for other stakeholders about the available channels to report harm
receiving, processing, investigating and or risks to children related to products and services.
responding to complaints from customers
Ensure the mechanism is accessible to
and the general public, including children,
children and those who can report incidents on their behalf,
on product or service risks to children?
such as community members, local NGOs and government
officials. Phone hotlines and online channels for reporting
incidents can be effective.
Disclosure topic
DUE DILIGENCE
Operations and suppliers with impact on children’s rights through the product or service life cycle
PR1 Life cycle stages in which ➤ Disclose if health G4-PR1 Percentage of significant ➤ Specify product and
health and safety impacts of and safety impacts product and service categories for service categories
products and services are assessed on children are which health and safety impacts are with children’s rights
for improvement, and percentage integrated into assessed for improvement impact
of significant products and the life cycle
services categories subject to such assessment of
procedures products and
services. Specify
product and service
categories with
children’s rights
impact

PR3 Type of product and service ➤ Disclose whether G4-PR3 Type of product and ➤ Disclose whether
information required by procedures, children’s rights- service information required by children’s rights-
and percentage of significant related information the organization’s procedures for related information
products and services subject to is required by product and service information is required by
such information requirements the company’s and labelling, and percentage of the company’s
procedures for significant product and service procedures for
product and service categories subject to such product and service
information and information requirements information and
labelling, e.g., safe labelling, e.g., safe
use of the product or use of the product or
service by children service by children
PR6 Programs for adherence to ➤ This Indicator also G4-PR6 Sale of banned or disputed ➤ Disclose any banned
laws, standards, and voluntary covers disclosure of products or disputed products
codes related to marketing sale of banned or aimed at children or
communications, including disputed products. family use
advertising, promotion, and Disclose any banned
sponsorship or disputed products
aimed at children or
family use
REMEDIATION
PR2 Total number of incidents of ➤ Disclose non- G4-PR2 Total number of incidents of ➤ Disclose non-
non-compliance with regulations compliance related non-compliance with regulations and compliance related
and voluntary codes concerning specifically to voluntary codes concerning the health specifically to
the health and safety impacts of children’s rigths and safety impacts of products and children’s rigths
products and services during their services during their life cycle, by type
life cycle, by type of outcomes of outcomes
PR4 Total number of incidents of ➤ Disclose non- G4-PR4 Total number of incidents of ➤ Disclose non-
non-compliance with regulations and compliance related non-compliance with regulations and compliance related
voluntary codes concerning product specifically to voluntary codes concerning product specifically to
and service information and labeling, children’s rights and service information and labeling, children’s rights
by type of outcomes by type of outcomes
© UNICEF/NYHQ2010-2628/LEMOYNE

Principle 6. Use marketing and advertising that respect and support children’s
rights
Marketing to and for children is a growing business in many parts of the world, attracting increasing attention from
parents, regulators, business and civil society. Some products, such as baby food and paediatric medicine, are marketed
to parents, while others are marketed directly to children, who begin to make their own buying decisions from an early
age. Companies also take advantage of the influence children have on their parents’ spending (the ‘nag factor’) in the
marketing of foods, entertainment products or even motor vehicles.11 Increasing connectivity to the larger world, where
children are potentially the most avid customers, has opened new avenues for marketers to reach them, often without
the knowledge or supervision of parents or caregivers.
Numerous industry groups have developed voluntary, self-regulatory international codes of conduct that specifically
address the issue of marketing to children. And the influence of greater regulation, such as requirements to provide
increased information to customers, especially children, regarding fat, salt and sugar content of fast foods in certain
countries, is changing the dynamics of consumer marketing in some respects.12
Marketing and advertising aimed to reach children present numerous concerns that may not be issues for advertising to
adults. Lacking the critical awareness to evaluate advertising messages, younger children are often prone to accept them
as truthful, accurate and unbiased, which can distort their view of the world and even pose dangers to their health and
development. Pre-teens and adolescents are especially susceptible to pressure to conform to group standards, including
those based on racial and ethnic dimensions. They may be persuaded to consume such products as skin-whitening
creams, cigarettes and alcohol, which might reinforce their sense of belonging but are damaging to their health and can
place them in high-risk situations.
Inappropriate advertising can have a powerfully negative influence on children’s behaviour and self-esteem. Marketing
to children that is not carefully deliberated can normalize violence, sexualized behaviour or unrealistic body-image ideals,
potentially hampering a child’s healthy psychological and social development. Moreover, a child’s excessive focus on
consumerism may lead to poor financial habits at an early age that can be difficult to change as an adult.
Children around the world have unsupervised access to numerous forms of media that are far more difficult to monitor
than radio or television. Marketing to children has expanded into an array of delivery methods, including messaging at
points of sale (checkouts), children’s clubs, events, the Internet, social networking sites and in even schools. Existing
systems of regulation, such as television, movie and video game ratings that notify viewers of adult or age-restricted
content, are insufficient for regulating digital media available on multiple devices.
Children are increasingly recruited by marketers and advertisers as ‘brand ambassadors’, spreading the word about music,
clothes, snacks and other products. Often, children are paid in cash or in kind (vouchers, free samples, concert tickets)
to promote products on social networking sites, in chat rooms and on blogs. This contributes to the commercialization
of friendship, as well as to increased peer pressure. Moreover, product placement in schools and branding in educational
materials expose students to marketing for many hours a day.
There are growing concerns about the effects of marketing on children’s physical and mental health. Childhood obesity
is increasing rapidly in both developed and developing countries and has been linked to the development and marketing
of energy-dense, micronutrient-poor foods and beverages that are high in fat, sugar and salt – and promoted directly to
children.
11 Psychology for a Sustainable Future, ‘The Commercialization of Childhood’, Center for Earth Leadership, 20 May 2008; open PDF at
http://earthleaders.org/projects/psf/Commercialization%20of%20Childhood%20PowerPoint%20Presentation.pdf.
12 See, for example: White House Task Force, Solving the Problem of Childhood Obesity within a Generation: Report to the President,
Executive Office of the President of the United States, Washington D.C., May 2010; further information and the full report PDF are available at
www.letsmove.gov/white-house-task-force-childhood-obesity-report-president.

34 Have a responsible marketing and advertising policy in place

PRIMARY CRITERIA
Does the company have a global respon- and adopt a broad view of what ‘harmful’ means for children.
sible marketing and advertising policy in This requires making a conscious choice to refrain from direct
place that prohibits harmful and unethical marketing that is likely to harm children mentally, morally or
advertising related to children? physically.
Ensure that the policy takes into account the effects of
promoting behaviour that is unsafe or dangerous and violent
content.
If the company operates in an area where national law is weak,
vague or non-existent, be proactive and implement a marketing
policy that incorporates existing best practices for advertising to
children. Support government initiatives to develop appropriate
standards that protect the rights of children.
35 Put in place an age verification mechanism as part of personal

Does the company set clear standards for data collection. Always encourage young children to obtain
privacy and the collection of personal data their parents’ and or guardians’ permission before giving any
on or from children? information to a marketer, and make reasonable efforts to
ensure that parental consent has been given.
36 Regularly assess the impacts on children of the company’s

Is there a process in place to identify, marketing content, taking into consideration the impacts on
assess and monitor risks to and impacts different age groups. This might be done through surveys or
on children’s rights related to content and focus groups with parents or children.
visuals used in the company’s advertising?
37 Companies should stipulate that when children are represented

Has the company established guidelines in advertising and marketing, permissions are gained;
for the use of children in advertising and appropriate checks regarding safeguarding of children are
marketing? undertaken; age appropriate contexts, content, setting, dress
and time are observed; and images of children taken in the
public realm are rendered unidentifiable.
Do not hire children as ‘brand ambassadors’ or in peer-to-peer
marketing at schools or on social networking sites. Children
should be protected from being used and exploited as a
‘marketing technique’ to promote products of any type at
schools or elsewhere.
38 - SUPPORT Apply evolving best practices and join voluntary initiatives that
Does the company follow evolving best establish marketing codes and standards.
practices with regard to marketing and
advertising, including participation in
voluntary marketing codes and standards?
39 - SUPPORT Develop and disseminate messages and advertising to

Does the company support and promote children and parents that promote healthy behaviours and
positive and healthy behaviour among products. Such messages should be positive in tone and make
children through marketing, advertising and a compelling case for healthy behaviour by providing both
communication channels? accurate information and appealing results.
Join existing efforts or support government and national NGOs
activities to promote healthy behaviour and products. Ensure
that good practices for supporting children’s healthy lifestyles
are implemented in all markets.
40 Inform employees, customers, suppliers, service providers and

Is there a formal mechanism in place for other stakeholders about the mechanism and available channels
receiving, processing, investigating and to report concerns.
responding to complaints from customers
Ensure the mechanism is accessible to
and the general public, including children,
children and those who can report concerns on their behalf,
about content and visuals relating to chil-
such as community members, local NGOs and government offi-
dren?
cials. Phone hotlines and online channels for reporting concerns
can be effective.

Disclosure topic
DUE DILIGENCE
Operations and suppliers with impact on children’s rights through the product or service life cycle
INDICATORS:
PR6 Programs for adherence to ➤ Describe

laws, standards, and voluntary programmes aimed
codes related to marketing at responsible
communications, including marketing to
advertising, promotion, and children
sponsorship
REMEDIATION
PR7 Total number of incidents of ➤ Disclose incidents G4-PR7 Total number of incidents ➤ Disclose incidents
non-compliance with regulations related to marketing of non-compliance with regulations related to marketing
and voluntary codes concerning and advertising to and voluntary codes concerning and advertising to
marketing communications, children marketing communications, children
including advertising, promotion, including advertising, promotion,
and sponsorship, by type of and sponsorship, by type of
outcomes outcomes
PR8 Total number of substantiated ➤ Report number of G4-PR8 Total number of ➤ Report number of
complaints regarding breaches of complaints related substantiated complaints regarding complaints related
customer privacy and losses of to children’s rights breaches of customer privacy and to children’s rights
consumer data losses of customer data
PR9 Monetary value of significant ➤ Report fines related G4-PR9 Monetary value of ➤ Report fines related
fines for non-compliance with laws to violations of significant fines for non-compliance to violations of
and regulations concerning the children’s rights with laws and regulations children’s rights
provision and use of products and concerning the provision and use of
services products and services
© UNICEF/NYHQ2010-2641/LEMOYNE

The International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes
Responsible marketing requires a reassessment and revision of marketing practices that are not
conducive to the fulfilment of children’s right to food, nutrition and the highest attainable standard of
health. A fundamental issue in this context is marketing that can influence the prevalence and duration of
breastfeeding.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF have continuously emphasized the importance of
exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life and support continued breastfeeding, with the addition
of safe and appropriate complementary foods, up to the age of 2 years or beyond. After consultations
with all interested parties, including manufacturers, WHO adopted the International Code of Marketing of
Breast-Milk Substitutes in 1981.
The code stipulates no promotion of breast-milk substitutes, bottles and teats to the general public. Neither
health facilities nor health professionals should have a role in promoting breast-milk substitutes, and free
samples should not be provided to pregnant women, new mothers or families.
The baby food industry was involved in drafting the code and agreed to the provisions in article 11.3,
whereby all manufacturers and distributors of products within the scope of the code must ensure that their
marketing practices are in accordance with the code, independently of measures taken by a government to
implement it at the national level. Civil-society organizations are also requested to monitor implementation,
and the International Baby Food Action Network (www.ibfan.org) has taken an active role in monitoring
company and country compliance with the code.
Source: World Health Organization, ‘International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes’. WHO, Geneva, 1981;
for more information and to download the PDF, see www.unicef.org/nutrition/index_24805.html.
Letting Children Be Children
In December 2010, the Government of the United Kingdom commissioned a report on the commercialization
and sexualization of children. Reg Bailey, Chief Executive of the Mothers’ Union, was appointed to carry out
the independent review to address high levels of public concern, particularly taking into account the views of
parents and the business community.
In June 2011, Bailey’s report, Letting Children Be Children, issued recommendations for countering the
commercialization and sexualization of children through the Internet, television, advertising and clothing
sales. The report calls on businesses and broadcasters to help protect children from the increasingly
sexualized ‘wallpaper’ that surrounds them. Its recommendations include taking action to:
– Reduce the amount of on-street advertising containing sexualized imagery in locations where children are
likely to see it.
– Ensure the content of television programming better meets parents’ expectations, and introduce age
ratings for music videos.
– Define a child as under age 16 for all types of advertising regulations, and make it easier for parents to block
age-restricted material from the Internet.
– Develop a retail code of good practice on retailing to children, and ensure that advertising regulations more
closely reflect parents’ and children’s views.
– Raise parents’ awareness of marketing and advertising techniques, and prohibit the employment of children
as brand ambassadors and in peer-to-peer marketing.
– Ensure greater transparency in the regulatory framework by creating a single website for regulators.
Source: Bailey, Reg, Letting Children Be Children: Report of an independent review of the commercialisation and
sexualisation of childhood, Department for Education, United Kingdom, June 2011; open the PDF at www.gov.uk/
government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/175418/Bailey_Review.pdf.

Principle 7. Respect and support children’s rights in relation to the environment
and to land acquisition and use
Respecting the environment where children live and grow
Children are at greater risk from environmental hazards than adults due to their physical size, developing bodies, metabolic
rate, natural curiosity and lack of knowledge about the threats in their environment. According to the World Health
Organization, 24 per cent of the global disease burden is due to environmental factors. The figure rises to 33 per cent for
children, illustrating the huge impact that the environment can have on children, their prospects and their right to life and the
highest attainable standard of health. Every year, about 3 million children under age 5 die from preventable environment-
related causes and conditions, ranking the environment high on the list of causes of child deaths.13
The size of children’s bodies, the developmental stage of their internal organs and systems, and their characteristic
habits make them far more vulnerable to health risks from pollution and toxins than the same exposure by adults.14 When
children play on the ground, their potential intake of polluted soil and dust increases. They are more exposed to dietary
sources of pollution because, compared to adults, they drink more water and eat more food in proportion to their body
weight. If water contains residues of pesticides or other chemicals, for example, infants will receive more than double
the dose taken in by an adult drinking the same water.15 As children breathe, they take in more air per unit of body weight
than adults, resulting in greater exposure to pathogens and pollutants.
Escalating environmental degradation and contamination from deforestation, desertification, soil erosion, overgrazing,
overuse of fertilizers and pesticides, poor watershed management and waste dumping can compromise household food
security and health, especially for children. The lack of access to safe and clean water in communities is a serious threat
to young children, as waterborne diseases, such as diarrhoea, are a primary cause of death among those under age 5.
41 Integrate children’s rights considerations into relevant

PRIMARY CRITERIA
Does the company’s environmental and environmental policies.

resource-use policy and targets take into
Target and monitor emissions standards and toxicity levels.
account its potential and actual impacts on
Take into account children’s specific vulnerabilities to resource
children?
scarcity, pollution and toxicity in environmental and health
impact assessments.
42 Bring a child-sensitive approach to environmental impact

Is there a process in place to identify, assessments and siting design. As part of this process,
assess and monitor environmental risks consider alternative siting options to those that are near
to and impacts on children and pregnant schools, playgrounds or other areas where children congregate.
women? Take into account the routes children use to get to school, and
sports and cultural activities, and consider alternative routes.
43 Inform employees, community members, suppliers, service

Is there a formal grievance mechanism in providers and other stakeholders about the grievance
place for receiving, processing, mechanism and available channels to report occurrences of
investigating and responding to complaints environmental risks or impacts related to children and pregnant
related to environmental risks to and women.
impacts on children and pregnant women?
Ensure the mechanism is accessible to children and those
who can report incidents on their behalf, such as community
members, local NGOs and government officials. Making a
physical space available through an NGO and offering a phone
hotline or online channels for reporting incidents can be
effective. Take illiteracy and local languages into
consideration.
13 United Nations Environment Programme and World Health Organization, Healthy Environments for Healthy Children: Key messages for
action, UNEP and WHO, Geneva, 2010, pp. 59, 64; the PDF is available at www.who.int/ceh/publications/hehc_booklet/en.
14 United Nations Environment Programme, World Health Organization and United Nations Children’s Fund, Children in the New Millennium:
Environmental impact on health, UNEP, UNICEF and WHO, 2002, p. 32.
15 World Health Organization, ‘Children’s Environmental Health: Environmental risks’, WHO, 2013, www.who.int/ceh/risks/en, accessed 23
August 2013.

Natural resources and land acquisition and use
When a business acquires or uses natural resources such as land, forest, fresh water and marine resources, local children
and communities may be affected. For example, access to decent housing,land and forest in rural settings can protect families
from chronic poverty and destitution – it provides shelter from the elements and can give them the ability to collect forest
products, grow vegetables for nourishment and to contribute to household income. Business use of land may also affect
children’s community resources if it displaces schools, health centres or places of play.
Regarding fresh water, unsustainable business use of water upstream can deprive downstream communities from
sufficient and safe water, including for such uses as domestic water supplies or agriculture. Over-exploitation of marine
resources can result in the loss of livelihoods among coastal communities.
Secure housing is fundamental to family life and child development. Access to housing, and to land in rural settings, can
be the difference between chronic poverty and moving up the economic ladder. Decent housing and secure land tenure is
a cornerstone of children’s right to an adequate standard of living. This is especially true for children living in an agricultural
or other land-based economy.
When acquiring and using land to construct new buildings or begin new projects, businesses face a multitude of complex
transactions. Although companies that conduct large-scale extractive and infrastructure projects have become far more
conscious of the social challenges involved, the impact on children can be overlooked. Children may find it difficult to
articulate their needs in this situation and have little or no recourse to make demands. Most community representatives
engaged in consultation will be adult males – women, youth and children are generally neglected in such processes. An
additional level of vulnerability, and therefore complexity, comes into effect with regard to children of indigenous groups.
Many countries do not have full or even partial land registries or recognition of customary titles, which disadvantages
women and children, in particular girls, whose inheritance rights are often not registered or recognized. Land ownership
therefore tends to become gender- biased or discriminatory in other ways.
Payment for land is often insufficient for families to remain in the same area, forcing them to resettle on marginal lands
with worse living standards, such as peri-urban areas with no schools or health facilities and little opportunity to maintain
livelihoods. Families that are not re-established with secure tenure are at risk of further evictions and relocations, causing
increased uncertainty and a risk of trauma for children.
Involuntary displacement deprives families of whatever limited property rights they may have had. It deprives children of
inheritance rights and imposes potentially long-term consequences on their emotional well-being. It is well documented
that girls and women suffer disproportionately from forcible evictions, placing them at risk of physical and sexual violence,
as well as economic and social marginalization aggravated by gender discrimination.
Children left behind by migrating families, children of indigenous groups and those who have become the head of their
households are particularly vulnerable to these consequences. Children who head households are at a greater risk of
being deprived of their assets because relatives or community members can take over their property, under the guise of
administering it as a guardian, and may sell, lease or appropriate the property for their own benefit. A lack of housing is also a
major factor driving children into working and living on the streets, a life-threatening situation that imperils their right to personal
security, education and health.

44 To achieve children’s long-term well-being, the company should

PRIMARY CRITERIA Does the company have a policy on land apply relocation policies in line with international standards and
and natural resource use and acquisition, best practices regarding housing, documentation and access to
including resettlement of populations and basic services.
compensation, that takes children’s
Require key performance indicators to reflect international
vulnerabilities into account?
performance standards, such as those of the International
Finance
Corporation16, to avoid or mitigate the worst consequences of
displacement.
Raise awareness of child-related impacts of relocation and
resettlement.
45 Ensure that children’s and women’s rights are protected

Is there a process in place to identify, when the company acquires resources and property. Land
assess and monitor risks to or impacts on purchase and natural resources use can be complex, and legal
children in land and natural resource use due diligence requires an understanding of land titling and
and acquisition, and resettlement? ownership regimes, including attention to customary rules,
especially as related to the rights of children and women.
Apply international standards for land and property inheritance
to prevent children, and especially girls, in losing inheritance
and property rights.
Take steps to ensure that relocated children and their
families have adequate housing, supporting documents and
uninterrupted access to basic services, such as schools, health
clinics, water and sanitation, and local transportation. The
quality of their new housing or land, and the legal nature of the
land title, should be at least equivalent to those of the old site
as a minimum of secure tenure. Relocations should include
necessary documentation to ensure that children can enrol in
school in their new location.
46 Inform employees, community members, suppliers, service

Is there a formal grievance mechanism in providers and other stakeholders about the grievance
place for receiving, processing, mechanism and available channels to report risks to or impacts
investigating and responding to complaints on children related to natural resource use, acquisition and
related to risks to or impacts on children in resettlement.
land and natural resource use and
Ensure the mechanism is accessible to children and those who
acquisition, including resettlement?
can report incidents on their behalf, such community members,
local NGOs and government officials. Making a physical space
available through an NGO and offering a phone hotline or online
channels for reporting incidences can be effective. Take
illiteracy and local languages into consideration.
Consider an award or other incentive system to reward staff
for bringing grievances forward to facilitate adjudication of
grievances and underline the necessity for transparency.
16
16 International Finance Corporation, ‘IFC Performance Standards on Environmental and Social Sustainability’, Washington, D.C., 1 January
2012.

Disclosure topic
DUE DILIGENCE
Operations and suppliers with impact on children’s rights in relation to the environment and to land acquisition and use
SO1 Percentage of operations ➤ Disaggregate by G4-SO1 Percentage of operations ➤ Disaggregate by

with implemented local community local community with implemented local community local community
engagement, impact assessments, engagement, impact engagement, impact assessments, engagement, impact
and development programs assessments, and development programs assessments,
and development and development
programs with programs with
considerations with considerations with
respect to children’s respect to children’s
rights and the rights and the
environmental and environmental and
land acquisition and land acquisition and
use use
SO9 Operations with significant ➤ Disclose specific G4-SO2 Operations with significant ➤ Disclose specific
potential or actual negative impacts environmental actual or potential negative impacts environmental
on local communities impacts on children’s on local communities impacts on children’s
rights rights
SO10 Prevention and mitigation ➤ Disclose specific G4-EN27 Extent of impact ➤ Disclose extent
measures implemented in measures to address mitigation of environmental impacts of environmental
operations with significant potential negative impacts on of products and services impact mitigation
or actual negative impacts on local children’s rights of products and
communities services on
children’s rights
EN26 Initiatives to mitigate ➤ Disclose specific G4-EN33 Significant actual and ➤ Describe
environmental impacts of products initiatives to mitigate potential negative environmental environmental
and services, and extent of impact environmental impacts in the supply chain and impacts which may
mitigation impacts of products actions taken have an impact on
and services on children’s rights
children’s rights and actions taken,
e.g. land use,
resettlement
REMEDIATION
EN28 Monetary value of significant ➤ Disaggregate to G4-EN29 Monetary value of ➤ Disaggregate to

fines and total number of non- include fines related significant fines and total number include fines related
monetary sanctions for non- to impacts on of non-monetary sanctions for to impacts on
compliance with environmental children’s rights non-compliance with environmental children’s rights
laws and regulations laws and regulations
G4-EN34 Number of grievances ➤ Disaggregate to
about environmental impacts filed, cover number of
resolved through
formal grievance
mechanisms

Principle 8. Respect and support children’s rights in security arrangements
This section on security arrangements will need close attention if the company operates in a context that is characterized
by any of the factors listed below. External resources are listed in the annex when comprehensive data sources are
available by country.
• Conflict-affected zones and volatile areas

• Rural and remote areas
• High crime areas
• Areas where the state requires use of public security forces
• Countries without a juvenile justice system.
Companies that make arrangements to maintain the safety and security of their operations, personnel and assets must
ensure respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, including those of children. This is particularly relevant
to industries such as mining and extractives, private security providers, shipping and transportation, as well as in the
contexts noted above, and is a significant concern for businesses operating in unstable or conflict environments.
The past decade has seen significant advances in how companies think about, access and monitor the provision of security
at their business premises, including the adoption in 2000 of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights. In
2010, private security providers signed the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers.17
There are two fundamental elements that apply to security arrangements.
1. Companies should ensure that no children are recruited or used in security arrangements, either directly or indirectly
through security providers. This means that children should not be engaged for military purposes, but also that they
should not be used by the security provider for any other tasks, including food procurement, logistics, administration
or espionage.
2. Companies must ensure that child abuse, including physical punishment, is prohibited in any situation where security
personnel come into contact with children. Security personnel encounter youth and children in a variety of ways: as
employee’s family members, community members, and victims, perpetrators or witnesses of alleged crimes on
company property. Because of their young age and physical weakness, children are at a greater risk of experiencing
abuse, intimidation and harassment – and therefore it is crucial for a company to have security arrangements that
take into account children’s rights.
17 The International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers is a multi-stakeholder initiative convened by the Government of
Switzerland; resources, including the full code of conduct in multiple languages, are available at www.icoc-psp.org.

47 Companies that have policies in place regarding security and human

PRIMARY CRITERIA
Does the company have a policy rights should include a child rights angle, specifically:
in place related to security
– prohibit the recruitment or use of children in security arrangements,
arrangements that incorporates
both directly and indirectly through security providers. This means
children’s rights?
that children under the age of 18 should not be engaged for military
purposes, but also that they should not be used by the security
provider for any other tasks, including food, logistics,
administration, espionage, etc.
– outline a strict code of conduct against physical punishment or
child abuse, and describe the disciplinary proceedings against any
security personnel who have perpetrated such abuse.
48 Conduct proper risk assessment to understand the potential for

Is there a process in place to violating human rights,
identify, assess and monitor including the rights of children. Assessments can include.
risks to and impacts on children’s
– identification of security risks: Risks that result from political,
rights related to the security
economic, civil or social factors; or the possibility of heightened
arrangements?
levels of risk in particular facilities or communities.
– potential for violence: Consult civil society, home and host
governments to better understand the potential for violence
– human rights records: Consider the available human rights records
of public security forces, paramilitaries, local and national law
enforcement, as well as the reputation of private security. Consult
with the wider community rather than relying solely on official
records.
– rule of law: consider the local prosecuting authority and judiciary
capacity to hold accountable those who are responsible for human
rights abuses.
49 Training on common scenarios in which violations against children might
Do security personnel receive take place and the procedures they should follow in order to avoid such
training on children’s rights violations. Describe the legal consequences of infringements for both
and child protection, including the company and the security providers.
with regard to appropriate
Training for security staff should emphasize respecting children’s rights
communication, conduct and
and enforcing child protection measures, and include information on
use of force in situations where
child-specific reactions to stress, how to communicate with children,
children are victims or witnesses
and how to approach them as perpetrators, victims or witnesses.
of violations, or have allegedly
committed an offence on company Training on appropriate behaviour when encountering potential child
property? perpetrators is particularly important. Use of physical restraint and
force on children is to be strictly exceptional, employed only when all
other control measures have failed and for the shortest possible time.
Prohibit security personnel from forcing children to carry out unpaid
personal services.
50 Inform employees, community members, suppliers, service providers

Is there a formal grievance and other stakeholders about the grievance mechanism and available
mechanism in place for receiving, channels to report risks to or impacts on children related to security
processing, investigating and arrangements.
responding to complaints about
Ensure the mechanism is accessible to children and those who can
risks to and impacts on children
report incidents on their behalf, such as community member, local
related to security arrangements?
NGOs and government officials. Making a physical space available
through an NGO and a phone hotline or online channels for reporting
incidents can be effective.
When a crime has been committed by security or other company
personnel against a child on company property, refer the case to the
national authorities; stay apprised of investigations; and assist the child
victim with personnel who have been trained on how to speak to and
work with children.

Disclosure topic
DUE DILIGENCE
Operations and suppliers with impact on children’s rights through security arrangements
HR8 Percentage of security ➤ Disaggregate G4-HR7 Percentage of security ➤ Disaggregate

personnel trained in the by training that personnel trained in the by training that
organization’s policies or procedures incorporates organization’s human rights policies incorporates
concerning aspects of human rights children’s rights or procedures that are relevant to children’s rights
that are relevant to operations operations
Adopting the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights

The Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights are intended to guide companies in protecting their
operations and facilities while ensuring respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. Developed in
response to allegations of human rights abuse by security providers in the extractive industries, the Voluntary
Principles were initiated by the Governments of the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands
and Norway in 2000. Since then, they have fostered a multi-stakeholder forum in which the functions and
responsibilities of security forces (state, company and private) are allocated as the result of a deliberate and
transparent process.
The Voluntary Principles cover three categories:
1. Risk assessment – Critical to the security of a company’s personnel, local communities and assets,
an effective risk assessment will pay attention to security risks, potential violence and human rights
records; conflict analysis; equipment transfers; and consideration of the local prosecuting authority’s and
judiciary’s capacities.
2. Public security – Within the framework of primary government responsibility, companies have a role in
ensuring that public security is consistent with the promotion and protection of human rights. To reduce
the risk of abuses, they should consider the impact of security arrangements on communities; the type
and number of security forces deployed; regular consultations with security forces on workplace-related
safety issues; and recording and reporting human rights abuses.
3. Private security – Where government security is inadequate, hiring private security providers, which
collaborate and coordinate with public security forces, may be necessary. Given the potential risks
associated with security activities, private security contractors should be instructed to comply with the
Voluntary Principles. This includes abiding by the policies of the hiring company as well as the laws and
professional standards of the country they operate in; maintaining high levels of technical and professional
proficiency; and recording and reporting any abuse by the private security forces. Including these
provisions in the contractual arrangements will allow for termination of services where there is evidence
of unlawful and abusive behaviour by the private security force.
Source: Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights, www.voluntaryprinciples.org/resources, 2013.

Principle 9. Help protect children affected by emergencies
This section on emergencies will need close attention if the company operates in a context that is characterized by any
of the factors listed below. External resources are listed in the annex when comprehensive data sources are available by
country.
• Patterns of disaster (exposure to floods, drought, earthquakes and cyclones)

• Political instability or repression
• Conflict-affected regions witnessing widespread violence or other serious risks of harm to children
• Areas affected by high rates of food insecurity and malnutrition
• Industry is involved in hazardous activities with higher risk for human-caused disaster.
Emergency situations significantly affect children’s rights by making children more susceptible to disease, malnutrition,
exploitation and violence. Children with disabilities; displaced, migrant, separated and unaccompanied children; and
indigenous or ethnic minority children are among those who will be the most vulnerable. Girls and boys may be affected
in different ways. Moreover, disasters and conflict can create whole generations of potential workers without education,
leading to essentially unemployable classes of people representing an entire age group.
Companies that operate in emergency contexts, including armed conflict and areas prone to political turmoil, due to the
nature of their business or in following business opportunities must recognize these heightened risks of human rights
violations and must undertake children’s rights due diligence accordingly.
Many companies also support relief efforts for natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes and hurricanes in their areas
local communities or outside of their immediate areas of operation. Business should ensure that assistance for children is
carried out in coordination with government and international humanitarian organisations.
There are also emergencies with severe environmental impacts that are caused by accidents during business operations.
For all of these cases, businesses should ensure that the rights of children, their families and communities are addressed
in contingency planning and remediation activities.
© UNICEF/UKLA2013-00853/SCHERMBRUCKER

Armed conflict
Children and women disproportionately bear the brunt of conflict, and businesses operating during armed conflict or
in fragile states should be aware that these situations present numerous risks. This is the context where populations
are most vulnerable to abuse by governments or armed forces and groups, presenting great risk of gross human rights
violations and heightened risk of complicity by business. Companies may, for example, unintentionally prop up warring
factions through financial transactions or the sale of resources such as diamonds or minerals. They may also exacerbate
discrimination and tension by consulting or interacting with one community over others.
51 Assess or reassess the company’s impact on children in conflict

PRIMARY CRITERIA
Does the company’s due diligence process situations as part of heightened attention to due diligence.
address the heightened risk of child rights Collect detailed information from such sources as United
violations during armed conflict? Nations human rights mechanisms, including reports of the
Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children
and Armed Conflict,18 to inform due diligence or update an
existing assessment.
Depending on the company’s business operations, monitoring
systems will need to be strengthened to ensure that children’s
rights and labour standards are rigorously applied. Also be
alert to the increased risk of trafficking for labour or sexual
exploitation of children who have been separated from their
families.
Understand, follow and monitor the application of guidelines for
business operations in conflict zones,19 especially as they:
– urge the protection of children against recruitment into
armed groups by private security providers or a country’s
formal armed forces;
– suggest safeguards against trafficking or sexual exploitation

for children separated from their families or relatives;
– respect child labour standards, supply chain integrity and
other principles.
18 19
18 Office of the UN Special Representative to the Secretary General on Children and Armed Conflict, Children Affected by Conflict,
www.un.org/children/conflict/english/index.html
19 See page XX for relevant references

Natural disasters and other emergencies
The consequences of natural disasters are particularly severe for children, who might be separated from
their families and exploited more readily because of their vulnerability. Unfortunately, the numerous
initiatives of private-sector operations in emergency-affected areas have rarely paid specific attention to
children’s protection needs. During emergencies, children are especially vulnerable to disease, malnutrition
and violence. In fact, measles, diarrhoea, acute respiratory infections, malaria and malnutrition are the
major causes of children’s deaths during humanitarian crises.
Primary assessment criteria What companies can do
52 Assess or reassess the impact of the business on children, and

PRIMARY CRITERIA
Does the company consider children’s address the company’s role during emergencies. Be sure to
specific rights and needs in contingency consider the special rights and needs of children and pregnant
planning for emergency situations caused women in surrounding communities in vulnerability analyses,
by business operations? contingency planning and during times of emergency,
evacuation and warning procedures and drills.
Identify the specific resources and capabilities that would
be required to protect children in different disaster scenarios
related to company operations.
Ensure proper communications and partnerships with
emergency services.
53 Engage in durable partnerships with respected providers of

If the company contributes to relief efforts humanitarian assistance. Emergencies are extremely difficult
during disasters, does it have a defined environments in which to operate and navigate. While the
approach for how it will support children company might wish to make in-kind donations or volunteer
in coordination with local authorities and staff time, financial contributions to respected, experienced aid
humanitarian agencies, and in accordance providers will generally be far more effective.
with best practices?
Companies in certain sectors – such as information technology,
logistics, telecommunications and transport – can make direct
contributions of service to relief operations, particularly if
structured and integrated into broader international efforts.
However, the company should avoid making in-kind donations
that involve disproportionate transport or operational costs,
or which lock aid providers into inappropriate or expensive
commitments they would otherwise not have undertaken.

Disclosure topic
DUE DILIGENCE
Operations and suppliers with impact on children’s rights due to armed conflict or heightened risk of emergency.
STRATEGY AND PROFILE GENERAL STANDARD
DISCLOSURES: DISCLOSURES:
Stakeholder Engagement ➤ Describe Stakeholder Engagement ➤ Describe

4.14 List of stakeholder groups consultations G4-24 consultations
engaged by the organization. related to children’s a. Provide a list of stakeholder related to children’s
4.15 Basis for identification and rights as part groups engaged by the organization. rights as part
selection of stakeholders with of emergency G4-25 of emergency
whom to engage. related policies a. Report the basis for identification related policies
4.16 Approaches to stakeholder and contingency and selection of stakeholders with and contingency
engagement, including frequency planning processes whom to engage. planning processes
of engagement by type and by G4-26
stakeholder group. a. Report the organization’s
4.17 Key topics and concerns approach to stakeholder
that have been raised through engagement, including frequency
stakeholder engagement, and how of engagement by type and by
the organization has responded stakeholder group, and an indication
to those key topics and concerns, of whether any of the engagement
including through its reporting. was undertaken specifically as part
of the report preparation process.
G4-27
a. Report key topics and concerns
that have been raised through
stakeholder engagement, and how
the organization has responded
to those key topics and concerns,
including through its reporting.

Report the stakeholder groups that
raised each of the key topics and
concerns.
© UNICEF/INDA2012-00295/SINGH

Principle 10. Reinforce community and government efforts to fulfil children’s rights
This section on community and government will need close attention if the company operates in a context that is
characterized by any of the factors listed below. External resources are listed in the annex when comprehensive data
sources are available by country.
• Bribery and pervasive corruption

• Tax evasion (escaping payment through illegal means) and tax avoidance (using legal means to reduce taxes)
• Large informal sector
• Poverty, and therefore potential lack of education/health facilities.
Reinforcing government taxation and corruption-free practices
Protecting and fulfilling children’s rights is the responsibility of government, and the well-regulated collection of taxes
provides the financial resources needed to accomplish this obligation. Corruption and inadequate regulation squander the
funds that should be invested in infrastructure, education and health, and deter investment and economic growth. 20 This
situation leads to diminished prospects for many children, but businesses are powerful actors with considerable political,
social and economic clout that can be leveraged to protect children now and for the future.
Preventing and combating corruption
Corruption corrodes governance for children’s rights. It can increase the overall cost of providing public services –
education, water, sanitation, health care and infrastructure – and lowers the quality of these services, while limiting
coverage for the most marginalized and vulnerable communities. Corruption can hinder a country’s development, growth
and investment, and by targeting those without power, it reinforces exclusion and discrimination.
Due to their lack of power and influence, the poor – especially children – suffer disproportionately. By lowering the quality
of public services, corruption reduces a child’s ability to escape poverty. Lost opportunities for education are often
irreversible, and lack of access to health services, including the essential vaccinations, can be very damaging and even
fatal.
Bribery can cost children even more directly. It drains household incomes and is particularly damaging for low-
income families. Poor children are more likely to be the targets of extortion, bribery and intimidation, as well
as more vulnerable to a lack of access to services. Young people may be particularly susceptible to bribery.
According to Transparency International’s 2010 ‘Global Corruption Barometer’, for example, people under age 30 reported
paying bribes more frequently than all the other age groups participating in the survey.21
Paying taxes
Tax evasion and tax avoidance by the private sector can harm a government’s ability to provide the services and structures
required to realize children’s rights. Although tax evasion is a clearly illegal and illegitimate business practice, tax avoidance
is a more complex area in which the line between legitimately lowering tax payments and avoidance is often difficult
to define. But even when legal, the avoidance of paying a fair share of taxes, royalties, duties and other payments –
especially in developing countries – raises many concerns.
Companies that are involved in tax evasion or avoidance deprive governments of the revenues they need to deliver social
protection programmes and basic services. A closely related problem is the failure of many companies to disclose the
tax and royalties they pay in each country. In many cases, it is relatively common for businesses to take advantage of the
domestic tax authorities’ limited capacities to enforce legislation and regulations.
20 See, for example: Avery, Christopher, ‘Tax Avoidance & Tax Evasion’, presentation at side event co-organized by the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre
and Global Witness, Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, Geneva, 2009, open Word document at
www.reports-and-materials.org/Tax-avoidance-and-evasion-Avery-6-Oct-2009.doc; Business & Human Rights Resource Centre and Global Witness, ‘Follow the
Money: How companies are impacting human rights’, 6 October 2009, www.business-humanrights.org/Documents/Followthemoney, accessed 23 August 2012;
and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, United Nations Convention against Corruption, United Nations, Vienna, September 2004, the full text is
available in multiple languages at www.unodc.org/unodc/en/treaties/CAC.
21 Transparency International, ‘Global Corruption Barometer 2010’, TI, Berlin, 2010, p. 13; open PDF at
www.transparency.de/fileadmin/pdfs/Wissen/Korruptionsindices/GCB_2010.pdf.

At the same time, it is important for a business to recognize and resist government authorities who exploit the weakness of
their own state for personal gain. In rent-seeking situations, corrupt officials may target a variety of companies, including:
those in sectors where government licences, approvals and authorizations are essential for operations; businesses with
large revenue windfalls; corporations with sizeable and complex tax liabilities; or even small and medium-size enterprises
without the resources to hire specialized lawyers to fend off illegitimate fees or ‘tax bills’.
Good corporate citizenship entails not just paying legitimate taxes but also joining broader efforts to make it more difficult
for corrupt officials to take advantage of bribery opportunities. One such initiative is Publish What You Pay (www.
publishwhatyoupay.org), a global civil-society coalition with more than 300 member groups that work together for greater
transparency in the oil, gas and mining industries.
54 Provide a statement on how the company meets national

PRIMARY CRITERIA
Does the company have a policy, standard legislation and international principles on corporate tax
or other document that addresses obligations. This should include a commitment to pay all
corruption, taxation and bribery? taxes, fees and royalties to local governments in countries of
operation.
Establish a zero-tolerance policy on any and all forms of bribery,
corruption, extortion and embezzlement, and outline the terms
of enforcement.
55 - SUPPORT Join with other companies and civil society stakeholders to

Does the company take specific actions advocate for robust anti-corruption efforts. If the company
to collaborate with other stakeholders to does not already have stringent compliance procedures arising
encourage and influence the government to from responsibilities under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
increase transparency? or similar legislation, introduce anti-corruption policies and
programmes within the business as a baseline responsibility.
The company can then report on these efforts and join forces
with industry peers and other stakeholders to take collective
action that furthers greater transparency in government

revenue collection and makes it harder for corrupt officials to
expect or demand bribes from the company.
56 Inform employees, community members, customers, suppliers,

Is there a formal grievance mechanism service providers and other stakeholders about the grievance
in place for receiving, processing, mechanism and available channels to report occurrences of
investigating and responding to complaints corruption or bribery.
about cases of corruption, taxation and
bribery?
Investing in community programmes for children
Businesses can make an enormous contribution to the realization of children’s rights by helping to build the strength of
communities where children live and grow, as well as through their own practices and policies. Children’s issues are
a popular focus for corporate social investments, which encompass an extraordinary range of philanthropic activities
and donations. But it is important to keep in mind that children are a long-term investment, and companies seeking to
contribute to community development should aim to reflect that perspective in their community planning. Corporate
contributions towards building government and community capacities to provide and regulate the services that have
lasting benefits for children are one of the best ways to achieve this goal.
To attain maximum long-term benefits for children, and for business, social investment should take a rights-based,
sustainable approach. This means:
• Always putting the best interests of children at their core.
• Involving children in planning, implementing and monitoring programmes.
• Focusing on the most marginalized and vulnerable children.

• Recognizing children as holders of rights, active citizens and agents of change in their lives.
• Working in close cooperation with local governments and others to ensure that company investments support and
complement existing efforts to realize children’s rights.
The inequities, disparities and lifelong disadvantages that many children experience are most visible at the community level.
Children may be seeking health services in clinics that are deteriorating, short of medicines and severely understaffed,
or have no access to health care at all. They may have no opportunities to access quality education – one of the most
essential elements in a child’s development – or they go to school in buildings without windows, books, pencils, desks
or chairs, or even more crucially, without well-qualified teachers.
Investments in simple, cost-effective and long-term programmes that support children’s development can contribute to
positive change throughout their lives, as well as a better everyday quality of life. Long-term community programmes that
are well planned, implemented and monitored in close coordination with local authorities can be part of a ripple effect of
opportunity, creating benefits for children now and in future generations.
57 - SUPPORT Use findings from human rights impact assessments or other

PRIMARY CRITERIA
Does the company have a defined approach risk and impact assessments to determine the company’s
to strategic social investment programmes involvement with markets, resources and partners that can
that aligns potential programmes to have the biggest positive impact on children in the community,
government plans and priorities? in line with the core business activities and strategies.
Consider how community investments can be turned into long-
term, productive community assets. When weighing costs and
benefits, plan for long-term outcomes as well as sustainable
investments that will last beyond the company’s presence.
Careful planning can help a company bring about sustainable
gains both for business and children in a number of ways.
Be alert to the unintended consequences for children of well-
meaning community development projects that are not aligned
with the best interests of the child.
58 Inform employees, community members, service providers,

Is there a formal grievance mechanism in children and other stakeholders about the grievance mechanism
place for receiving, processing, and available channels to report occurrences of risk or impact
investigating and responding to complaints on children related to community investment projects.
about risks to and impacts on children’s
Ensure the mechanism is accessible to children and those
rights in relation to community investment
who can report incidents on their behalf, such as community
projects?
members, local NGOs and government officials. Making a
physical space available through an NGO and a phone hotline
or online channels for reporting incidents can be effective. Take
illiteracy and local languages into consideration.

Disclosure topic
DUE DILIGENCE
Operations and suppliers with potential or actual impacts on children’s rights through the communities or countries of
operation
EC8 Development and impact of ➤ Describe impacts G4-EC7 Development and impact ➤ Describe impacts
infrastructure investments and on children of infrastructure investments and on children
services provided primarily for derived from the services supported derived from the
public benefit through commercial, development of development of
in-kind, or pro bono engagement infrastructure infrastructure
investments and investments and
services supported services supported
EC9 Understanding and describing ➤ Describe indirect G4-EC8 Significant indirect ➤ Describe indirect
significant indirect economic economic impacts economic impacts, including the economic impacts
impacts, including the extent of on children’s rights extent of impacts on children’s rights
impacts
SO1 Percentage of operations ➤ Describe the G4-SO1 Percentage of operations ➤ Describe the
with implemented local community scope and impact with implemented local community scope and impact
engagement, impact assessments, of community engagement, impact assessments, of community
and development programs engagement on and development programs engagement on
children’s rights children’s rights
SO5 Public policy positions and ➤ Specify public G4-SO9 Percentage of new ➤ Describe how
participation in public policy policy positions and suppliers that were screened using children’s rights are
development and lobbying activities in relation criteria for impacts on society incorporated into
to children’s rights criteria
G4-SO10 Significant actual and ➤ Describe impacts on
potential negative impacts on children’s rights and

society in the supply chain and actions taken
actions taken
Disclosure topic
REMEDIATION
SO4 Actions taken in response to ➤ Disclose specific G4-SO5 Confirmed incidents of ➤ Disclose specific
incidents of corruption measures taken in corruption and actions taken measures taken in
relation to incidents relation to incidents
of corruption of corruption
which may impact which may impact
children’s rights children’s rights
G4-SO11 Number of grievances ➤ Disaggregate to
about impacts on society filed, cover number of
resolved through
formal grievance
mechanisms

The Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness: Community development and lessons
learned from the public sector
As businesses move into initiating or supporting community development programmes in capacities

traditionally provided by the public sector, it is helpful for companies to know more about the way their
programmes fit into the ‘bigger picture’. One source for understanding how to improve development
outcomes, and on better ways to merge private and public-sector approaches, is the Paris Declaration on
Aid Effectiveness. This international agreement, confirmed by more than 100 countries and organizations, is
based on five ‘mutually reinforcing’ principles that companies can apply to their investments in community
development:
1. Ownership – Give the local community, and if relevant, the local, regional or national government, a voice
in developing initiatives that respond to local needs and desires.
2. Alignment – Position community development programmes and projects within the objectives of the
country where it will take place, which are likely to be set out in a national development plan or Poverty
Reduction Strategy Paper, and consider the goals of specific sectors that have a stake in the outcome.
3. Harmonization – Investigate what others are doing, including through discussions with local government
and NGOs, in order to avoid duplication and conflict. Companies should be careful not to burden
overstretched local administration and service providers with unnecessary or unrealistic obligations for
accessing and obtaining funds for community development projects. Instead, companies could use their
expertise to help local administrations build their capacities to administer funds.
4. Results – Infuse community development projects with the same commitment to delivering results
that the company applies to its mainstream business. It is not enough, for example, to count how many
children have attended a company-supported school; a better measure would be to look at retention and
graduation rates of the school.
5. Mutual accountability – Accountability is not a one-way street. Donors and partners are accountable for
development results, and companies should make themselves accountable to local communities for
Annex
following through on the commitments they have made to the community.
Source: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, ‘Paris Declaration and Accra Agenda for Action’,
www.oecd.org/dac/effectiveness/parisdeclarationandaccraagendaforaction.html

ANNEX
External resources for business and children’s rights context analysis
Principle 2:
CHILD LABOUR key factors for Resource links
business and children’s rights
Age of school completion is not the UNESCO, ‘Information by country’,

same as the legal working age http://stats.uis.unesco.org/unesco/TableViewer/document.
aspx?ReportId=198&IF_Language=eng; select country then ‘education’
ILO, ‘Ratifications of C138 – Minimum Age Convention, 1973’ – shows
minimum age for admission to employment or work, www.ilo.org/dyn/nor-
mlex/en/f?p=1000:11300:0::NO:11300:P11300_INSTRUMENT_ID:312283
High risk or incidence of child labour in UNICEF, ChildInfo, ‘Percentage of children aged 5–14 engaged in child
the area, country or region labour’, www.childinfo.org/labour_countrydata.php
United States Department of Labor, ‘Youth & Labor’,
www.dol.gov/dol/topic/youthlabor/childlaborstatistics.htm
High levels of labour migration World Bank, ‘Net migration rates’,

http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SM.POP.NETM
ILO, Labour Migration Branch,
www.ilo.org/migrant/lang--en/index.htm
Low availability of schooling, low quality United Nations Statistics Division, ‘Social Indicators –Work’, http://unstats.
Annex
of schooling, and low levels of school un.org/unsd/demographic/products/socind/default.htm

enrolment and education completion UNICEF, ‘Statistics and Monitoring’,
www.unicef.org/statistics/index_countrystats.html – select country, then
scroll down to ‘Education’
Poverty World Bank, ‘Data: Indicators’, http://data.worldbank.org/indicator – scroll

down to ‘Poverty’ then click on an indicator for a list of statistics by coun-
try
Prevalence of informal economy ILO, LABORSTA Internet, ‘Women and men in the informal economy’,
http://laborsta.ilo.org/informal_economy_E.html
Weak legal systems, policies and institu- World Bank Group, ‘Worldwide Governance Indicators’, http://info.world-
tions bank.org/governance/wgi/sc_country.asp, interactive table to compare
economies across six
governance indicators
Labour costs ILO, LABORSTA Internet, ‘Statistics by topic’,

www.ilo.org/ilostat/faces/home/statisticaldata/data_by_subject?_adf.ctrl-
state=9r5810jbj_222&_afrLoop=2339454976311655, select ‘Labour cost’
Low capital-labour ratio

Principle 3:
DECENT WORK key factors for Resource links
High number of young workers ILOSTAT Database, www.ilo.org/ilostat – select ‘Browse by subject’, then
‘Youth’
United States Department of Labor, ‘Youth & Labor: Child Labor Statistics’,
www.dol.gov/dol/topic/youthlabor/childlaborstatistics.htm
High levels of labour migration World Bank, ‘Net migration rates’, http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/
SM.POP.NETM
ILO, Labour Migration Branch, www.ilo.org/migrant/lang--en/index.htm
Poverty World Bank, ‘Data: Indicators’, http://data.worldbank.org/indicator – scroll

down to ‘Poverty’ then click on an indicator for a list of statistics by coun-
try
Large-scale and compulsory student

internship programme that may be used
to compensate for labour shortages
Lack of respect for freedom of ILO, Dialogue Data, www.ilo.org/ifpdial/information-resources/dialogue-

association and collective bargaining data/lang--en/index.htm - scroll down to ‘trade union density and collective
bargaining coverage’
Prevalence of informal economy ILO, LABORSTA Internet, ‘Women and men in the informal economy’,
http://laborsta.ilo.org/informal_economy_E.html – select cross-country
database
Annex
Principle 8:
CHILDREN AFFECTED BY SECURITY Resource links
ARRANGEMENTS key factors for
Conflict-affected zones and volatile areas International Institute for Strategic Studies, https://acd.iiss.org/en - select
‘browse all conflicts’
Rural and remote areas World Bank, ‘Data – Rural population, http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/
SP.RUR.TOTL
High crime areas United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, ‘Data’,
www.unodc.org/unodc/en/data-and-analysis/statistics/data.html
Areas where the state requires use of

public security forces
Countries without a juvenile justice

system

Principle 9:
CHILDREN AFFECTED BY Resource links
EMERGENCIES key factors for
Patterns of disaster (exposure to floods, Alliance Development Works, ‘World Risk Report 2012: Focus – Environ-
drought, earthquake and cyclones) mental degradation and disasters’ – open PDF at www.ehs.unu.edu/file/
get/10487.pdf
Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction 2013, http://risk.
preventionweb.net:8080/capraviewer/main.jsp?tab=1
Political instability or repression World Bank Group, ‘Worldwide Governance Indicators’, http://info.world-
bank.org/governance/wgi/sc_country.asp, interactive table to compare
Conflict-affected regions experiencing International Institute for Strategic Studies, https://acd.iiss.org/en - select
widespread violence or other significant ‘browse all conflicts’
risks of harm to children
Areas affected by high rates of food- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, ‘Food Security
insecurity and malnutrition Statistics’, www.fao.org/economic/ess/ess-fs/ess-fadata/en/
Industry is involved in hazardous activi-

ties with higher risk for human-caused
disaster
Principle 10:
COMMUNITIES AND GOVERNMENT Resource links
key factors for business and children’s
rights
Bribery and pervasive corruption World Bank Group, ‘Worldwide Governance Indicators’, http://info.world-
bank.org/governance/wgi/sc_country.asp, interactive table to compare
Tax evasion (escaping payment through

illegal means) and tax avoidance (using
legal means to reduce taxes)
Large informal sector ILO, LABORSTA Internet, ‘Women and men in the informal economy’,
http://laborsta.ilo.org/informal_economy_E.html – select cross-country
database
Poverty, and therefore potential lack of World Bank, ‘Data: Indicators’, http://data.worldbank.org/indicator – scroll
education/health facilities down to ‘Poverty’ then click on an indicator for a list of statistics by coun-
try

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CHILDREN ARE EVERYONE’S

Acknowledgements, disclaimer and copyright

For more information, please contact us at [email protected].

Research, writing, design and editing

2 CHILDREN ARE EVERYONE’S BUSINESS: WORKBOOK 2.0

A TOOL FOR COMPANIES 3

1.1 About this workbook

1.2 The time for children is now

4 CHILDREN ARE EVERYONE’S BUSINESS: WORKBOOK 2.0

1.3 Children are everyone’s business

A TOOL FOR COMPANIES 5

The Children’s Rights and Business Principles

The Children’s Rights and Business Principles call on businesses to:

3. Provide decent work for young workers, parents and caregivers.

8. Respect and support children’s rights in security arrangements.

9. Help protect children affected by emergencies.

6 CHILDREN ARE EVERYONE’S BUSINESS: WORKBOOK 2.0

The Children’s Rights and Business Principles

Principle 7: Principle 10:

A TOOL FOR COMPANIES 7

Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights

8 CHILDREN ARE EVERYONE’S BUSINESS: WORKBOOK 2.0

No. 183 – maternity protection

A TOOL FOR COMPANIES 9

A responsibility to respect and a commitment to support

Principle 1. Meet the responsibility to respect children’s rights, and

10 CHILDREN ARE EVERYONE’S BUSINESS: WORKBOOK 2.0

Primary assessment criteria Taking action

1 There is no linear process for integrating children’s rights into a

A TOOL FOR COMPANIES 11

4.12 Externally developed ➤ Mention the Ethics and Integrity:

economic, environmental, and Principles G4-56

2. Assessing impacts on children’s rights

12 CHILDREN ARE EVERYONE’S BUSINESS: WORKBOOK 2.0

Stakeholder consultations for children

2 Integrate children’s rights considerations into the broader

3 Consult children’s representatives or in specific circumstances,

A TOOL FOR COMPANIES 13

Stakeholder Engagement: ➤ Describe children Stakeholder Engagement: ➤ Describe children

stakeholder engagement, and how

G4-HR11 Significant actual and ➤ Describe impacts on

14 CHILDREN ARE EVERYONE’S BUSINESS: WORKBOOK 2.0

4 Embed children’s rights into company policies and procedures,

5 Ensure that respect for children’s rights is built into contract

A TOOL FOR COMPANIES 15

G4-HR10 Percentage of new ➤ Describe how

4. Tracking performance and reporting on results

Primary assessment Taking action

16 CHILDREN ARE EVERYONE’S BUSINESS: WORKBOOK 2.0

A TOOL FOR COMPANIES 17

Primary assessment criteria Taking action

7 Establish grievance mechanisms to address child rights issues

to address alleged child rights violations? other.

8 Respond appropriately, genuinely and in a timely manner to

18 CHILDREN ARE EVERYONE’S BUSINESS: WORKBOOK 2.0

G4-HR12 Number of grievances ➤ Disaggregate to

Principle 2. Contribute towards the elimination of child labour

A TOOL FOR COMPANIES 19